Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 25:
Taking serious note of the failure of handloom industry to make any progress in Manipur even as the handloom products of the State are famous all over the country and abroad, the Apunba Kanglei Sinnaibi Lup (AKSIL) has mooted an effective policy to promote handloom industry in the State.
Briefing media persons today, AKSIL president Th Gomti Leima remarked that absence of effective handloom policy in the State is largely responsible for the failure of handloom industry to take off.
As such, it is necessary to formulate an effective policy for handloom industry in place of the existing nominal policy.
Pressing for an effective policy for handloom industry, AKSIL submitted a memorandum to the Commerce and Industries and Co-Operation Minister Y Erabot today.
Highlighting that Yarn Bank has been unable to supply yarns demanded by weavers and has failed to provide any kind of benefit to the weavers, the memorandum insisted that the Yarn Bank be reactivated and made to function properly.
Noting that Manipur occupies fourth position in the country in terms of producing handloom products, it urged for establishment of a separate Handloom Directorate.
It also appealed to provide incentives and other forms of assistance in time to all active weaving societies.
AKSIL also urged upon the Minister to enforce Patent Act and to ensure patent rights to the State weavers so as to protect the distinctive mosaic, designs and patterns of the handloom products of Manipur from being counterfeited and copied by weavers of other States and abroad.
Other points of the memorandum include ensuring benefits to the weavers of the State of various schemes launched by the Union Government for the welfare of weavers such as Integrated Handloom Village Development Scheme, Workshed cum Housing Scheme, Margin Money for Destitute Weaver Scheme etc.
Under AKSIL established in October 2005, and constituted by 50 co-operative societies, more than 5000 weavers are producing a variety of handloom products at present.