N Biren
Manipur CM N Biren Singh speaking at Manipur Assembly. File image: Hindustan Times

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh informed the state Assembly that the Manipur Startup Policy has resulted in the return back of the educated unemployed youths who were once working outside the state.

Manipur chief minister N Biren said this while replying to a question by opposition Congress MLA Surjakumar Okram of Khangabok Assembly constituency during the Question Hour session on the 3rd day of the ongoing 7th Session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Stating that various entrepreneurs with innovative ideas have applied for the policy, the Cm said that there is awareness among the people of the state regarding the policy which resulted in the return back of many talented educated youths who were once working outside the state.

N Biren, who is the leader of the House said that the key component of the Startup Policy is talented entrepreneurs with innovative ideas who are able to produce quality product and generate employment.

He informed the House that 334 beneficiaries were selected (round 1) for the year 2017-2018 out of 728 applicants and a fund of Rs 30 crore has been released (2017-2018). He said 3,966 people have applied to avail benefits of the policy this year.

Informing that the House of 60 members that the selected beneficiaries need to undergo three months training and after completion of the training fund will be given to them,he also assured that in case of excess demand the Government will increase the fund in consultation with the Planning Department.

In another reply, art and cCulture minister L Jayentakumar informed the House that Manipur State Film and Television Institute will start functioning from August this year. Informing that procurement of equipments and e-tender have begun, he said the department is trying to improve the infrastructure of the Institute. Minister Jayentakumar was responding to query of MLA Surjakumar Okram.

On the Manipur Cultural University, he said it is functioning in full swing with 404 students enrolled at present.Stating that Art and Culture is the pride of the state, he informed the House that there is need to enhance the fund for the Art and Culture Department.

He further said that there is need for amendment of Culture Policy in consultation with the expert committee.

In the day’s session, deputy chief minister Y Joykumar Singh who holds in-charge of Finance laid the following reports on the table of the House namely Appropriation Accounts 2017-18, Finance Accounts (Volume-1) 2017-18 and Finance Accounts (Volume-11), 2017-18.

Sobhapati Samom is Northeast Now Correspondent in Imphal. He can be reached at: [email protected]