Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 25:
The State Award and Merit Award, 2006-07 given every year by the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Manipur, to encourage craftspersons has been presented during a function held at the conference hall of DIC Imphal West at Lamphelpat today.
Commerce and Industries Minister Yumkham Erabot Singh presented the awards to the recipients as chief guest of the function.
Apart from eight crafts-persons who were honoured with the State Awards and another eight craftsper-sons honoured with Merit Awards, consolation awards were also presented to 26 other craftspersons.
The Awards consist of cash incentives and certificates.
Speaking at the occasion, Minister Erabot observed that although the required skills for development of cottage and medium industries are available in plenty, there is the pro-blem of lack of raw materials and marketing facilities.
Kauna which used to be available in plenty at one time in Manipur is becoming a rarity today, he said, while outlining the need for encouraging people or firm/society to take up cultivation of Kauna.
The Minister also announced that he would be personally going to Jiribam in connection with further development of the 15-acre Bamboo Park there.
Director of Commerce and Industries Dhiraj Yumnam and Assistant Director (Handicrafts), Office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles A Sahadev were respectively president and guest of honour of the function.