Imphal, July 07: For the benefit and welfare of women weavers in Manipur, the State Government is planning to set up Yarn Banks with assistance from Textiles Corporation of India as well as to revive the State Handloom House, Co-operation and Social Welfare Minister W Leima informed the House today in response to the Cut Motion raised by Opposition members during the discussion for passing the demands for Co-operation and Social Welfare.

Instead of giving financial assistance to the women weavers like earlier, efforts are being made to set up Yarn banks through which the required raw material would be provided to bring about improvement in the quality of these products under the watchful eyes of experts, Leima said and went on to add that the Government would even make arrangement for marketing these products.

Even if there is an urgent need to accelerate the co-operative movement in the State, the loanees do not care to return the loan amount, Leima lamented while informing that training programmes have been started to spread awareness among the beneficiaries to cultivate the habit of repaying loans.

Processes have also been started to elect a new Managing Committee of Manipur State Co-operative Union (MSCU).

To facilitate holding the election, the earlier nominated Board has been annulled and now taken over by the Registrar of Co-operative Society, Leima informed.

When FPM MLA L Ibomcha pointed out that the former Board chairman has been allegedly playing politics while issuing loan and formation of Self Help Groups despite the process being made for conducting the election of MSCU, Leima assured the House that the matter would be looked into seriously.

Even if there are some discrepancies in the selection process of beneficiaries of National Old Age pension (NOAP) and Manipur Old Age Pension, it could be rectified, Leima said, while expressed unhappiness over the attitude of the Opposition members in grilling her.

Without mincing words, she said �I'm the only woman representative among the 60 members of the House.

Even if I've made some mistakes, it is desirable that the rest of the members would try to point them out instead of treating in a harsh manner�.

Leima clarified that Old Age Pension could not be disbursed to the beneficiaries in time due to poor financial condition of the State.

Nevertheless the State Government has been trying its best to ensure that the pension amounts were distributed in time.

Disclosing that the National Old Age Pension Scheme has been transferred to the State, the only woman Minister also informed that the pension amount given under MOAP would be same with NOAP.

Comment