IMPHAL, February 1: Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Giriraj Singh arrived in Imphal today on a three-day visit.
Speaking to media persons at the Imphal Airport, the MoS said he will inspect the food processing park which is under construction at Nilakuthi and another site identified for construction of a Livelihood Business Incubator under the National Small Industries Corporation in the State.
He said his visit was related with the Modi government’s initiative towards accelerating development in the North Eastern States.
Since, the BJP led NDA came to power in the Centre, emphasis has been given to the upliftment of the region in all sectors, he added.
“Without development of the region, India cannot be called a developed country. Keeping this mind, Modiji led NDA government is giving priority in the development of the region,” Giriraj said.
After stopping for a few minutes at Imphal Raj Bhavan, the visiting MoS went to inspect the food processing park being developed in Imphal at Nillakhuthi under the initiative of the Union government.
Later, he attended an inauguration function of Livelihood Business Incubator (LBI) at Khadi and Village Industries Board campus at Lamphelpat.
Addressing the inaugural function, the minister said he will come every year to explore ways to improve employment in the region in consultation with the concerned authorities of the State government.
The Centre is taking up various initiatives in consultation with the State government for welfare of the people, he added.
Without skill development there would be less success in implementing various programmes, he added.
So, the Centre’s target is to develop skills among the youths so that they can generate their own job, he added.
He observed of the total population of the developed world, 70 percent are skilled workers, whereas India has only 2.5 percent skilled labour.
Taking this into account, Modi’s vision is to impart training to the youths in one or other field, he added.
LBI in Imphal was among 22 such projects listed for the whole country, one such project would be implemented in each of the nine districts of Manipur.
In Manipur where there are around 8.62 lakh women weavers with 2.81 lakh looms, it is necessary to establish a plant to produce thread which the state is currently importing from south Indian states.
State Commerce and Industries minister Govindas Konthoujam who attended the function said that by sanctioning six industrial estates, the Centre has been taking initiative in the improvement of socio-economy of the State.
He also said that these industrial estates would help in generating employment to the unemployment educated youths of the state.
The Union minister would hold a meeting with State government officials about the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme tomorrow.
He would also pay a visit to Moirang INA complex and inspect some handloom and handicraft clusters before leaving for Tripura on February 3.