Rs. 35 crores earmarked for Startup Manipur

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 31

Chief minister N. Biren Singh today said his government already earmarked Rs. 35 crores in the state budget under the “Startup India” initiative to encourage local entrepreneurs of the state.

Launching Romi Industries’s fifth factory outlet at Kwakeithel Thaonaojam Leikai today Biren said his government will aways encourage start-ups to encourage youths of the state to generate self employment and improve the state’s economy.

Biren said “the mentality of running after white collar jobs after studies should be done away at this age where one can startup his or her own company and enjoy working under your own conditions at the tip of a finger if you are skilled and qualified.”

To encourage and promote ‘Make in Manipur’ mission, the chief minister said that government offices and homes have started using locally produced commodities like curtain, table cloth etc.He also urged banks and public to cooperate with entrepreneurs in giving loans and support.

Education and labour minister Th. Radheshyam Singh and works minister Th. Biswajit Singh

congratulated the proprietor of Romi Industries for his achievement, saying this would help generate employment in the state and automatically remove social stigmas created by unemployment and unrest.

Romi industries deal with bags, sweaters, mufflers, sports-wear and T-shirts and now shoes mainly for school going children. The proprietor Khumbongmayum Dhanachandra, who is a college dropout, started business in 1996 making purses in his father’s tailoring shop.

He said this milestone he just covered is the due to blessings of his customers. He plans to expand his business in the whole of North East.

“This shoe making factory is the first of its kind in the entire North East as it has the fully automated single colour direct sole injection machine which are available only in selected cities of India,” he added.

The shoe factory can produce items like school shoes, sports shoes, canvas and sneakers up to 4000 pairs per day.

Dhanachandra said efforts are underway to open similar shoe factories in the other North East states to expand a local brand to larger audience with the motto of ‘One stop manufactory for all institutional wear.