Newmai News Network
Imphal | April 18
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda launched the scheme ‘Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North-Eastern Region (PTP-NER)’ in presence of Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh in Imphal on April 18.
Addressing the gathering, Arjun Munda informed that the PTP-NER scheme is fully funded under Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India and a budget of around Rs 143 crore have been allocated towards this scheme for implementation. He informed that the scheme will apply to the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
‘The scheme launched today will facilitate linkage of tribal products with new markets, provide logistic and marketing strategy support to promote it at the national and global level,’ he stated.
Speaking on the quality and taste of products produced in the State, Chief Minister N Biren Singh informed the Union Minister that outlets for selling products of Manipur had been opened in some big cities across the Country. He continued that marketing and logistic development for promotion of tribal products is the need of the hour, stressing the need for value addition, quality and hygienic packaging for capturing markets outside the State.
Stating that earlier the SHGs working in the interior parts of hill districts did not have work sheds and proper room to dry fruits, the State Government had decided to earmark an amount of around Rs. 26.6 crore under the RIDF and constructed work sheds to facilitate them.
He also reiterated the vision of the Prime Minister to provide quality life to the people, adding that the State Government had also launched the ‘One Family One Livelihood’ scheme, under which anyone from a family with no source of livelihood can apply for a loan of Rs 10 Lakh with 30 percent grant. He added that Government would consider including SHGs of TRIFED, so that they could also avail the benefits of the scheme to help increase their income generation.
Earlier, Arjun Munda along with the CM and others visited the stalls set up by Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVK) under different Divisions and interacted with tribal artisans.
During the programme, three Van Dhan products from different VDVKs including Cinnamon from Kamjong, Black Rice from Ukhrul and Dry Bamboo Shoot from Noney were also launched.
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