Handloom & Handicraft in Manipur

Handloom:

Handloom industry is the largest cottage industry in the state. It is a traditional cottage industry providing avenues of employment opportunities to the people of Manipur. Basically, it is a labour-intensive family occupation in which all the members of a family can participate. Majority of the handloom weavers in the state are self-employed artisans who are carrying on their profession in their own homes with the assistance of their family members in pre-loom and post loom process. Manipur rank s the fourth position in terms of the number of looms in the country. It has more than 2.7 lakhs looms comprising of fly shuttle, throw shuttle and loin- looms with a weaver population of more than 2.8 lakhs of which about 1 lakh are full time weavers, according to National Handloom Census, 1987.

In artistic weaving also there are many accountable designs which are still famous such as Ningthou Phee, Lamthang Khulak, Khamen-Chatpa, Shamilanmi, Moirangphee, Lashing Phee, Leiroom, Hijamayek, Tindongbi, Leirong, Akoibi designs etc. Each design has its own history as to how and by whom they were invented. In the art of design and printing, Manipur can be proud of possessing good knowledge of dyeing of fast colour on various kinds of hard printing of cloths since time immemorial by using indigenous plant leaves etc.

A High Power Committee (HPC) was set up to look into the problems and to suggest measures for the growth of handlooms during the Ninth Five Year Plan Period. Most of the recommendations of this committee have been accepted by the Government and the schemes/programmes in the Ninth Plan are being formulated on the basis of these recommendations. For the provision of welfare measures and better working conditions to handloom weavers, a package of group insurance scheme, health package scheme, work shed cum-housing scheme, project package scheme, integrated handloom village development project etc. are being implemented in the handloom sector.

Project Package Scheme:

The project package scheme, being implemented since 1992-93, is one of the major schemes to provide the requisite support to weavers in an integrated and coordinated manner. The scheme envisages formulation and implementation of specific need base projects for development by a particular handloom product or development of a particular area of weavers. Altogether 2194 weavers were assisted under this scheme involving a sum of Rs.92.95 lakhs as central share during the year 2001-2002.

During 2002-03, a sum of Rs.26.25 lakhs were released under the scheme as 2nd installment to the beneficiaries as state share in respect of the 12 projects sanctioned in 1994-95. The final installment of Rs.46.65 lakhs is yet to be released. The Govt. of India also released Rs.62.84 lakhs and Rs.81.48 lakh as grant and loan respectively to the beneficiaries in respect of the 30 projects sanctioned in 2000-2001. 173 weavers were assisted during 2003-2004 involving an amount of Rs.22.80 lakhs and Rs.65.29 lakhs as central share and state share respectively under the scheme.

Integrated Handloom Village Development project:

Integrated Handloom Village Development project (IHVDP) aims at providing a comprehensive support in all areas covering all types of facilities in terms of skilled upgradation, productivity infrastructure and to give fillip to the motivation level. Construction of common facility centre, workshed, supply of looms, imparting training programme and providing of infrastructure are the main components of the scheme. During the year 2001-2002, altogether a total of 2,647 weavers were assisted with margin money to the tune of Rs.68.22 lakhs as central share and a sum of Rs.2.26 lakhs were paid as stipend to 60 weavers for undergoing training.

Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana:

Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan (DDHP) Yojana was a newly introduced scheme for women belonging to the SC/ST/OBC as a promotional scheme of handloom sector. It is a centrally sponsored scheme which has come into force with effect from 01.04.2000. Product development, production support, institutional support, imparting training programme, providing of infrastructure, marketing support etc. both at macro & micro level in an integrated and co-ordinated manner for an overall development of the handloom sector are the main components of the scheme. The pattern of assistance between the central and the state is 90:10 unless specified for the component. The amount sanctioned by the central and state Government for the assistance of Cooperative Societies during 2005-06 to 2007-08 is shown in the table below.

Physical and Financial Performance under DDHP Yojana in Manipur by the State Government:

Source: Economic Survey Manipur 2008-09

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Handicrafts:

Handicrafts is another important industry in the state. It has its own unique identity amongst the various crafts of the country. Handicrafts industry of Manipur may be mentioned with special accounts for contributing to the economic structure and development of the state. The handicrafts of Manipur are treated in high class in themselves, drawing the main theme and subject matter from episode of Khamba Thoibi and latter Radha Krishna background of their religions belief and designs depiction of Pakhangba with simple processes of indigenous nature craftsman here produce handicrafts of excellence, the importance of them being cloths embroidery, cane and bamboo, ivory, stone and wood carving, metal crafts, deer horn decoratives and supari working sticks, dolls and toys etc. Various kouna products, artistic weaving, wood carving etc. have a distinct place of its own.

The state Government has made full efforts for overall development of handloom and handicrafts industries in the state. Manipur Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation and Manipur Development Society are the two agencies of the state government taking utmost efforts for production and marketing of handloom and handicrafts products. Manipur State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society is apex co-operative society taking pivotal role in the co-operative sector for development of handloom & handicrafts in the state. There is also departmental raw- materials bank to meet the requirement of various types and quality of yarn of weavers at reasonable price. The Mechanised Dye House now run under the Deptt. is also making full efforts to make available quality dyed yarn for the weavers of the State. Although there are various schemes for the growth and development of handloom and handicrafts in the state, only few could be implemented due to want of fund. Among the North Eastern States, Manipur has got the highest number of handicrafts artisans. In order to provide financial assistance and also give due recognition to eminent craftspersons, the following schemes has been implemented during 2006-07.

(a) State Award to Master Craftsman,

(b) Modernisation of handicrafts and

(c) Development of Kouna product

Number of handicrafts artisans in the North Eastern States of India, 2004-05:

Source: Economic Survey Manipur 2008-09