Indian Textiles Minister Smriti Irani recently assured Manipur State of sustained support from the Central Government for the textile industry and welfare of weavers and farmers. While inaugurating a three-day silk expo and workshop in Imphal, she said the foundation stone of an Eri Silk Spinning Mill worth Rs.22 cr would be laid in November in the State. Manipur State Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the Eri mill, to be set-up with Central Government funding, is expected to offer employment to around 2,500.
In 2013-14, the fund allocated under the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) was only 2.86 cr. However, in the past four years of government, 839 cr has already been spent for the growth of textiles industry in the North East region, media reports from the region quoted the Minister as saying.
The Central Minister also distributed 1,73,97,200 through the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to 322 beneficiaries of Integrated Sericulture Development Project (ISDP-Hills) for the construction of individual adult rearing house (IARH). The three-day expo was jointly organised by the State Department of sericulture and the Central Silk Board (CSB) under the Textiles Ministry.
