Manipur empowering women to strengthen livelihood – Biren Singh

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 15 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh said that the government was putting forth every possible effort for empowering the women of the State by implementing various initiatives and schemes to strengthen their livelihood, security and dignity.

He was speaking at the 15th Foundation Day of Manipur State Commission for Women along with a two-day socio-cultural and political convention of north east women held at Hotel Classic Grande, Imphal on Wednesday.

Joint Secretary, National Commission (NCW) for Women, A Asholi Chalai, Chairperson MSCW Prof. Binota Meinam, Vice-Chancellor of Manipur University Prof. N Lokendro Singh, President BJP Manipur Pradesh A Sharda Devi, National Organisation Secretary, Bharat Vikas Parishad Suresh Jain were present during the Foundation Day observation.

Singh said the government had constructed and inaugurated seven women’s markets in different hill districts of the State and the construction for another 10 women’s markets were being taken up.

He maintained that the Manipur Start Up Scheme was introduced to support entrepreneurs in the state and many of the entrepreneurs who received support under the scheme were women.

As per Annual Report of 2018-19, Manipur topped the list of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) business registrations among the Northeastern states and 50 % of these businesses were owned by women, he added.

 Stating that many top posts in administrative and Police departments were being held by women in the State, he said that all-women police stations were also established in different districts.

He said that under the Social Welfare department, 16 One Stop Centres were established to support women in distress in all the districts. A 24X7 toll free Women Helpline has been functional since the installation of the present government, he added. 

Chairperson MSCW Prof. Binota, VC of Manipur University Prof. Lokendro Singh also spoke on the occasion wherein the Annual Journal of Manipur State Commission for Women titled “Women News Horizon (Vol-V)” was also released.