State sericulture to be synchronized with Basin Development

SHILLONG: The State Government is mulling to synchronize the State sericulture and weaving directorate with Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme (IBDLP).
This idea was mooted at the review meeting of the Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB) Working Group.
Chairman of the working group John F Kharshiing said on Wednesday that the inclusion of the directorate would facilitate marketing of sericulture and weaving produces.
The working group of the State Planning Board has asked the commerce and industry directorate to submit the SWOC (strength, weakness, opportunities and challenges) report since the working group would prepare brief reports and would then submit to the MSPB to make necessary and appropriate recommendations to the state government for its consideration based on the SWOC report.
Asserting that out that the budget allocation for the directorate during 2012-13 was only Rs 23.75 crore Kharshiing said that there are over 30,000 weavers using the traditional handloom due to lack of awareness.
The review meeting also decided to study the draft State Industrial Policy-2012 and dwelt on the achievement and modernization of Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL).
Stating that due to the delay in the modernization, the MCCL has not been able to meet the demand, Kharshiing said that the cement company also needed to address the issue of excessive man-power.
Stating that serious concern was also expressed on the unavailability of lands in view of growing number of investors who wanted to invest in the State, Kharshiing said that the working group will also come up with necessary recommendation in its report.