Imphal: Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday distributed Rs 23.4815 crore to around 15,450 handloom weavers and boatmen as financial assistance which will help in to boost state’s economy.
The distribution was done through direct benefit transfer under the National Handloom Development Program during the inaugural ceremony of MANITEX, Manipur International Textile Expo at the Urban Haat Nilakuthi in Imphal East district.
Organised by the Directorate of Handlooms & Textiles, the annual Expo will continue till November 14, 2022.
Speaking as chief guest, the chief minister said that considering instances of mass production of traditional cloths like the Khudei, Phanek, enaphi, etc, by using machines outside the state which are made available at a cheaper price to control the market, shops and business houses in Ima market have been instructed not to sell imitated and machine made traditional handloom products.
He made it clear that traditional hand woven and handmade clothes cannot be replaced with machine made products and stated that the government takes the matter seriously since people of Manipur, especially the womenfolk depend on handloom products for economy and livelihood.
The chief minister also acknowledged womenfolk’s contribution in the state’s economy.
“Our people have the potential, talents and especially womenfolk are courageous and brave,” he said, further highlighting the respect and popularity the state’s Ima keithels have garnered in national and international platforms.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, MLA Kh Ibomcha informed that school uniforms in Manipur may soon be manufactured with the state’s handloom products.
He also informed that the government is already in the process of obtaining GI tag for indigenous clothing to prevent being copied and imitated by others.
As part of the inaugural function, the chief minister also launched mega handloom cluster of Imphal East, laid foundation and launched craft handloom village of Moirang.
This year, the expo has 274 stalls, including local weavers, artisans, entrepreneurs, local private companies, national level organisations, international stalls from Thailand, Bangladesh and Myanmar, food court, state government departments, etc.
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