Biswajit distributes cost for handloom and handicraft products produced in lockdown

Imphal: Manipur textiles, commerce and industry minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, on Thursday distributed cost of handlooms and handicrafts products procured during the lockdown from weavers and artisans of the state.

The formal function launching the distribution of costs for handloom and handicraft products was held at the conference hall of the minister’s secretariat.

Eleven out of 70 beneficiaries from Imphal East district receive their amount for their finished products. Weavers and artisans from all 16 districts will receive benefits under this flagship programme.

A sum of Rs 1.17 crore (approx.) has been utilised to procure the finished products from the weavers and artisans during the period.

The flagship programme is part of an arrangement to assist and provide support to weavers and artists during the lockdown period. In view of the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent lockdown from March 23 till July 15, the department in association with the Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd will continue to purchase the handloom cloths and handicraft items lying unsold with weavers/artisans due to the lockdown till July 15.

Biswajit said handloom and handicraft is alternative means of livelihood of the people in the state. Considering that weavers and artisans are facing acute hardships during the present lockdown, the department had decided to procure their finished products during the lockdown so as to provide some relief to them.

He said weavers and artisans can highlight any grievances to the authorities through the toll free number 18005720906.

Handloom and handicraft is our tradition and we need to preserve and promote our tradition. The weavers and artisans should also appreciate the government for the initiative taken up by the government for their welfare during the lockdown period, he added.

Director, handlooms and textiles, K Lamlee Kamei said the department under the initiative of the minister was preparing a buy-back policy to support and help artisans and weavers of the State during the lockdown period. He said during preparation of the policy, the department receive instructions from the central ministry to implement a similar scheme.