Irani inaugurates INR 12 crore-worth projects in Nagaland

Two more projects announced in Wokha and Kiphire districts

Our Correspondent

Sabangya (Mokokchung), Feb. 22 (EMN): Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated two projects worth more than INR 12 crore in Mokokchung in the presence of Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Friday.

The union ministers were in Mokokchung to inaugurate two projects in Sabangya under Chungtia village, some 15 km away from the district headquarters.

Irani said during the inaugural programme that 99 percent of silk in the country comes from the north-eastern states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “Vikas ka sooraj Northeast se oog raha hai’ (The sun of progress is rising from Northeast) because of this, she added.

The projects that the Union Minister of Textiles and Minister of State for Home Affairs inaugurated on February 22 are Post Cocoon Technology project at Sabangya in Chungtia village which comes at a total value of INR 8.57 crore, and Muga P3 Basic Seed Station in Kobulong EAC Hq with an estimated cost of INR 3.74 crore. Both the projects are under the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS).

The visiting union ministers also launched two more projects in Nagaland – Bivoltine Sericulture Development project through Women empowerment in Wokha at an estimate cost of INR 22.43 core under NERTPS and Development of Eri and Oak Tasar Silk Industry culture in Kiphire district at a total value of INR 14.65 crore, which will be implemented directly by the state in coordination with CSB.

Irani informed that Post Cocoon Technology project in Sabangya will benefit 400 women, who will be given linkage to cocoon storage, dying unit, certified looms and common facility centre so that value addition can be done. She added that the Muga P3 Basic Seed Station in Kobulong will ensure supply of basic muga seeds and also help over 1000 commercial farmer and seed rearers in the area.

The Union Minister also said that the Bivoltine Sericulture Development project is focused on boosting the production in bivolting which will benefit more than 400 citizens and the project in Kiphire will ensure INR 75,000 to 80,000 worth revenue per annum for those who partake in this project. She also added the project in Kiphire will help plantation in 600 acres.

Asserting that Naga people take pride in handicraft and handloom, Irani also informed that the Government of India will pay 75 percent of fees in institutions like IGNOU and NIOS for the children of the handloom community. She added that the Government of India will give 90 percent subsidy to those want to upgrade or buy new looms.

Irani said that the Ministry of Textiles through the Commission of Handicraft office will provide tool kits free of cost to artisans and people living under BPL (below poverty line). In this connection, she requested the village council and local artisans to benefit from these schemes.

“Reach-out to every artisan community, every weaving community so that the fruit of development reach the last person in Nagaland.. ..we can help you elevate your circumstances from challenging economic background,” she asserted.

Irani assured the Village Council of Chungtia that the project – Eri Silk Development – they have submitted will be fulfilled and instructed the CSB representative to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project.

Rijiju asserted during the event that the Northeastern Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) launched by the Ministry of Textiles is going to benefit hugely not only in terms of employment generation but also in empowering women. He urged the people of the region to link-up and channelise the products with international, national and regional marketing sectors.

The union minister from Anrunachal Pradesh explained that people will not only come to know about the unique products of Northeast but also enhance the region’s economic strength. Saying that Nagas have a good sense for fashion, Rijiju opined that the people of the state woo the consumers with various designs.

“We should let the people know that Nagaland produces fine saris,” he remarked.

The Minister acknowledged Irani for not only revolutionising the textiles sector but also assuring that women are empowered through various government support systems as well as encouraging them. He also observed that in Northeast, particularly in Nagaland, women are not behind men and that Naga women can perform more important roles than men.

In this connection, he said, “This is one sector which can change the lifestyle and empower women and will change the economy of the region.”

Rijiju maintained that has been associated with various Naga issues and has extensively toured the length and breadth of the state during the election campaign. He asserted that historic decisions were made during the Special State Cabinet Meeting held at Kiphire in November 2018 which he attended on the invitation of the State Government.

In this connection, he assured that the Government of India is determined to support the people of Nagaland in terms of infrastructure development, welfare schemes and opportunities for the youths.