Union minister of tribal affairs Arjun Munda launched the Ministry of Tribal Affairs’ new central sector scheme ‘Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North-Eastern Region (PTP-NER)’ at MSFDS auditorium, Palace Compound Imphal on 18th April in the presence of chief minister N Biren and other dignitaries.
By James Khangenbam 21 April 2023 Imphal:
Union Minister Arjun Munda launches scheme in Imphal
Speaking on the occasion, Arjun Munda informed that under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs through Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED) aims to empower individuals to become self-employed and self-reliant in the NE region, with respect to the diverse cultural heritage of tribals. The vision of the PM is to look east, focus on development and promote tribal products to enhance the livelihood of tribal entrepreneurs and create endless business opportunities. As this area is constitutionally a tribal region, understanding the tribal communities is essential, he observed.
Munda continued that as the PM has time and again stressed on a national programmed for ‘One District, One Product’ for the promotion of unique tribal products, TRIFED will collaborate with the state governments and agencies to ensure the complete promotion of these products through teamwork providing solutions and value addition for these products. “The NE region has always possessed immense potential in every field and it scheduled tribe communities have ensured through its efforts, the overall development of the nation. To help our tribal entrepreneurs and beneficiaries evolve a greater market both at the national and international level, we will launch more schemes to help these,” he said. It may be mentioned that a Budget of around Rs 143 crore has been allocated towards this scheme for implementation.
Three new products from VDVKs across Manipur were also launched on the occasion.They include cinnamon rolls (Dal Cheeni-polished & semi-polished) from Kamjong district, black rice (Chak-hao) from Ukhrul district and dried bamboo shoot. On the other hand, chief minister N Biren said, “The barriers we had with the center in terms of developmental schemes have been removed, now that we have realized that the Government of India is focusing on providing the tribals of our region with a better quality of life” .
“Be it in the field of sports, business, or education, with greater income generation and greater opportunities provided by the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, our region has been contributing substantially in the national development and rapidly developing in the development of the country, ” he added. TA&H minister Letpao Haokip conveyed, “We truly appreciate the efforts of the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs for its inclusive schemes and initiatives supporting the aspirations of entrepreneurs of this region”.
It is pertinent to note that through the provision of backward and forward linkages through incubation support, aggregation, skill and entrepreneurial development, sourcing and procurement, marketing, transportation, and publicity, the PTP-NER scheme will assist tribal craftsmen in taking advantage of chances to increase revenue. This plan calls for the organisation of 68 Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs) in the several districts of the NE region starting on Tuesday, in order to begin the empanelment of tribal artisans from that region.
Besides, considering the vast experience and presence in NE region, North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), a corporation under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), India Post under Department of Posts, and NE state government de-partments/agencies are being engaged as partners under the scheme.
