Textiles, Commerce and Industry Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh today released Yarn Passbook to be distributed to weavers of the State through the District Project Managers.

Later during a press briefing held after the release function at his Official Quarter at Sanjenthong, Biswajit said altogether 10,000 pass-books were released as the first phase today.

Stating that through this scheme, weavers will get yarns at subsidised rates, he elaborated that cardholders will receive 20 percent subsidy on any kind of yarn. He further appealed to the weavers of the State to enroll for the card.

This is a follow up of the Handloom and Handicraft Delivery System of the State government, he said.

Elaborating further, on the issue, the Minister said that the government took the decision to introduce the Yarn pass-book in order to help the weavers during this lockdown period and at the same time to enhance their livelihood. He continued that handloom is second only agriculture in providing livelihood to the people of the State.

Appealing to the weavers not to stop weaving, he said that the government is trying to provide yarn to all corners of the State.

Biswajit also urged the people of the State to promote local products and help in improving the state and the country’s economy.

Meanwhile, regarding the large scale production of a traditional handloom stole of the State at a manufacturing unit at UP, the Minister said that the directorate has already written an official letter to the Central Ministry on the issue.

He said he will personally apprise the Union Minister through an official letter to stop mass production of State’s traditional stole at manufacturing units by use of power-loom in the interest of the State’s traditional handloom weavers.

Biswajit said that the directorate is also consulting experts on the issue. The passbook releasing function was also attended by Handloom and Handicraft Director Lamlee Kamei and other officials of the directorate.