IMPHAL, September 28: Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam today distributed the first instalment of the North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) in the form of cheques for 110 Self Help Groups (SHG) of 11 Handloom clusters of Bishnupur district at Ibudhou Oknarel Shanglen Hall of Ningthoukhong Bazaar.
The distribution ceremony was also attended by the director, Commerce and Industries Department B John Tlanginkhuma and deputy director of Commerce and Industries K Lamlee Kamei and organised by the District Handlooms and Textiles, Bishnupur and Handloom Clusters of Bishnupur District under NERTPS, sponsored by the Development Commissioner (Handloom) Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
The programme started with a one-minute silence in condolence to the sudden demise of Manipur Governor Dr Syed Ahmed.
Delivering his chief guest speech Govindas Konthoujam stated that such useful schemes should be properly utilized by the weavers and they should work with sincerity and dedication.
To receive the second instalment of the scheme, weavers must show sheer interest and provide their best efforts to bring out the best quality products and take part in the upcoming training sessions so that the Textiles Ministry grants weaver with the remaining payment.
He asserted that unlike other schemes the present schemes will be strictly monitored by the Ministry by introducing a system called Geographical Information System (GIS). With the introduction of the GIS, the Ministry will monitor all the activities of the weavers ranging from training, weaving etc online, he said.
The broad objective of the NERTPS is to develop and modernize the textile sector in the North East Region by providing the needed government support in terms of raw material, seed banks, machinery, common facility centers, skill development, design and marketing support etc. stated Kamei.
Further elaborating on the NERTPS, Kamei revealed that the present scheme is very unique and different when compared to the earlier schemes adding that under this scheme there are many components like establishing of separate Yarn Supply Schemes to provide raw material at subsidized rate to the weavers etc.
He also urged the weavers to extend their full support to make such ambitious project, which has been undertaken under strong initiative of the minister concerned, a success besides setting an example for other neighbouring States.
In his presidential speech, Director of Commerce and Industries Department B John Tlangtinkhuma exhorted the weavers to work sincerely and provide valid utilization certificates in time to get the second installment of the scheme.
Altogether 11 Handloom Clusters with 10 SHG in each cluster were availed with the schemes. One SHG received a sum of Rs 26,000 as the first installment of the scheme. As part of the function products from the handloom cluster were on displayed for sell.