Second phase of Seri Project under SPA: Y Erabot
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 19 2011:
The second phase of the Manipur Sericulture Project will be taken up under the Special Plan Assistance of the Government of India, said Sericulture Minister Y Erabot today during the inaugural function of the Two Day Cocoon and Silk Exhibition 2011 at Sangaipat, jointly organised by the Imphal East District Sericulture Cooperative Federation Limited and District Sericulture Office, Imphal East under the sponsorship of Directorate of Sericulture, Government of India.
The project was first introduced in the state under financial assistance from Japan.
Minister Erabot said that the decision was taken following a statement from Japan government that they will not be able to sanction the required amount for the project due to the recent earthquake which triggered a massive tsunami leaving tens of thousands dead.
After discussing the matter, both the state and central governments have agreed to continue the second phase of the project under its SPA.
The Planning Commission has also earmarked an amount of ' 62.11 crore for the project.
The cocoon available in the state is one of the best in the world producing the finest quality silk.
Manipur is the second largest producer of silk in the NE region, he said.
Concerned about the shortage of infrastructure and office buildings, Erabot said that a high level meeting will be held tomorrow to pin point as top priorities the matters which are causing major hindrances to the project and will act according to the decisions reached in the meeting.
Some federations covered by the project were found to have used third parties to construct cocoon rearing houses which are not quality controlled.
In order to implement the project successfully and to control the quality, construction of the rearing houses will be handed over to other agencies that have reputation of transparency.
Some federations were also found to have constructed rearing houses worth ' 9 crore for the second phase of the project even before its official commencement.
From now on the department will control the activities of the various federations.
Even some rearing houses were found used to rear poultry livestocks, he said.
The government very soon will be distributing solar lamps to the functional members of the federation and for the sites where mulberry plantations are in existence.
This will relieve the beneficiaries of the project from the woes of shortage of light in rearing and grooming of cocoons and mulberry plants.
The government is also planning to sanction the due amount of construction of rearing houses for the first phase after inspecting the buildings, he said.
No individuals, NGOs and other organisations will be given plots within the complex of the Manipur Sericulture Project.
The complex will be used to provide offices for members and federations of the project, he said.
He also urged individuals, federations and NGOs to come forward so that government can help them in every possible way for the success of the project.
Lok Sabha MP T Meinya who presided over the function stressed on the importance of technical hands.
They play a main role to make the project successful.
Although the production of silk and cotton in the state decreased visibly at a time, the state is now reviving its production pattern since the MSP came into existence.
Lauding the skillful nature of the people of the state, he appealed to them to make the project a success.
He also suggested creating a Research and Development Cell for the project in order to increase its performance.
Director, Directorate of Sericulture, Jingjamang Simte and District Sericulture Officer Imphal East N Ibopishak also attended the inaugural function as guests of honour.
Various Field Operating Unit (FOU) in Imphal East displayed cocoons, silk and silk products through 300 stalls.
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