Imphal, February 10: The ten day exhibition on Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) at mapal Kangjeibung concluded today with Sangaiprou-based Herbal Centre bagging the top prize.

The formal conclusion programme was held with Director of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Y Neta and Assistant Director in-charge of Khadi and Village Industries Centre JM Das as the chief guest and functional president respectively.

Functional manager of State�s Commerce and Industries S Birendra and Assistant Director of Development Commission (handicraft), Govt of India, A Sodev graced the occasion as the guests of honour.

Handicraft and handloom products were exhibited in 50 stalls by beneficiaries of Rural Development Programme schemes.

Expressing that objective of organising such an exhibition is to extend opportunity to the beneficiaries display their products, the chief guest maintained that with the expansion of village industries handloom and handicrafts items had been witnessing a significant increase in the State.

Even though increase in such products is exemplary and an occasion to rejoice lack of raw materials to churn out quality products is a matter of concern, said Y Neta who added that handloom products produced by village industries and self help groups exclusively managed by women members is generating enormous interest and demands not only in manipur but outside as well.

Regretting that inadequacy of raw materials had been constricting time-bound products apart from inability to supplement increasing demands, Neta prevailed upon all sections of the society to strive for sufficient supply of raw materials.

Prizes were presented to stall owners that achieved commendable sale records.

While the top award was bagged by the Sangaiprou stall that dealt exclusively in medicinal plants, its manager th Shanta informed that sale proceeds touched the Rs 50,000 mark in the ten day period.

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