Spinning Mill set for revival: Biswajit
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 08 2018:
Necessary funds have been reflected in the State budget to purchase new machines and take up cotton plantation in order to revive the Loitang Khunou Spinning Mill, stated Commerce and Industries Minister Th Biswajit on the floor of the State Assembly during question hour today.
Responding to a query raised by MLA Okram Surjakumar, Biswajit reminded that the new Government soon after assuming office announced its intention to revive the spinning mill in the interests of the weavers of the State.
Revival of the spinning mill is aimed at supplying yarns to weavers at cheaper price.
Soil samples collected from Kwatha and the Vangai Range of Jiribam have been tested for cotton plantation.
An amount of Rs 2 crore has been incorporated to cultivate cotton plants at these places which would also ensure employment to each and every household of these places, Biswajit stated.
This does not mean cottons from other States would not be used at Loitang Khunou Spinning Mill.
The Government would purchase subsidised raw material under a specific policy, he said.
The State Cabinet had already discussed the Manipur Use and Procurement of Local Handloom and Handicraft Products Policy 2016 to make it more beneficial to weavers and artisans.
The Manipur Textiles Policy 2017-18 has been drafted and finalised so that it can be tabled at a Cabinet meeting as soon as the ongoing Assembly session is over, Biswajit informed the House.
Replying to a query raised by K.Ranjit, Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip said that the Government has been planning to dredge the beds of all major rivers of the State.
Rather than waiting for release of funds by the Central Government, the department has started dredging the bed of Imphal River at four/five places with State fund.
Even though the State Government has not sent any proposal to the Centre for dredging river beds, the department has been working to prepare a DPR for all major rivers, Letpao added.