Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 30:
After taking stock of the progress of Sericulture Project being implemented in Manipur under the sponsorship of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), the State Government has been reportedly asked to finish the project by March next year.
A team of Japanese experts have condcuted field inspection of the Project implementation a few days back.
A reliable source informed The Sangai Express that the JBIC has intimated the State Government to finish phase I of the Manipur Sericulture Project by March next year.
The completion date for phase I was extended after it could not be completed in 2006, informed the source.
A report of the field visit to different project sites undertaken by the expert team will be submitted to the Japanese Government.
However, it is still not clear whether the deadline will be extended or not.
From the side of the State Government, the expert team was informed of the various impediments being encountered while implementing the Project including one whole year during which the Project was put on complete halt, disclosed the source.
Materials for construction of rearing houses for the Project were seized at Dimapur for a long time by one UG group while being transported from outside the State.
In tandem with extensive plantation of mulberry under the aegis of the State Sericulture Department, numerous rearing sheds are being constructed as part of the Project at present.
On the other hand, the State Government has initiated plans to construct an international silk market at Imphal.