Imphal: The Manipur government has decided to take up the ‘Make in Manipur’ campaign on a grander level. Information official said the focus is on providing employment to youths, generation of revenue and self reliance.
Department of Commerce and Industries official said most of the unemployed youths do not have money hence attention will be given to micro and small enterprises through community mobilisation. Officials have been asked to involve community and work transparently to achieve universal coverage.
Clusters will be formed to involve themselves in Income generation Activity (IGA) . The government has decided to extend help in marketing and provide back up. As the state is rich in agriculture, horticulture, handloom, forest, fisheries and animal husbandry related activities, the youths will be advised to involve themselves in such activities.
‘Make in Manipur’ initiative undertaken as part of the ‘Make In India’ campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be monitored at the district levels by the Livelihood Business Incubators (LBIs) and Common Facility Centers (CFCs) which will be established at a cost of Rs 15 crore. The centres will be responsible for providing training and assist the youths in building up their infrastructure.
Each district has its own unique characters like Ukhrul is famous for lemon, Tamengong for oranges hence activities will be confined to availability of resources. On a larger scale to target the international market by exploiting the geographical proximity to the South East Asian countries, the government has set up M/S Manipur Food Industries Corporation, which will help farmers in producing aromatic and medicinal plants in their own land with financial assistance from banks and supplying planting materials. Gene Bank has been developed at Chothe in Bishnupur district.
In a vast land of about 500 acre various plants like stevia, lemon grass, ginger, turmeric have been planted by involving about 2000 people.
Food Park will be established at Nilakuthi in Imphal East and five acres of land has been allotted for it.
Fragrance and Flavour Development work will be taken up in a 30 acre land at Ningthoukhong Awang, Bishnupur District.
Training for it has already started by selecting 25 graduates.
Ten handloom clusters will be formed in each district at a total cost of Rs 16 crore to cover 18,500 weavers. Marketing and exposure are required hence the government has decided to organise Industrial Expo annually at Lamboi Khongnangkhong, Imphal West and the first expo was held in April last. The area will be developed for the annual event. (UNI)
