Imphal: The Mission for Economic Empowerment of Traditional Artisans/Craftsman (Meetac) will be launched in Manipur very soon, textiles, commerce and industries minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has said.

Addressing the fourth National Handloom Day celebrations at Manipur State Film Development Society, Palace Compound, here on Tuesday, the minister said: "The main objective of the mission is to help attain self-employment and inclusive development besides economic empowerment of traditional artisans/craftsmen of the state and providing a market for finished products."

The programme was organised by the directorate of handlooms and textiles, government of Manipur.

Highlighting the significance of National Handloom Day which commemorates the Swadeshi Movement of 1905, Biswajit Singh said the day is observed every year to promote products of weavers, artisans and craftsmen of Manipur.

Stating that Manipur has 3.09 lakh weavers, the minister said: "The handloom industry is inherited tradition of our state."

He announced that the Centre would start giving integrated cluster scheme from this year, acknowledging the performance and activities of Manipur's weavers.

The minister assured the weavers that the handloom industry would not suffer despite launch of the powerloom as their products are different.

"The central schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana were launched to empower women of the country," Biswajit Singh said.

Asking the weavers to focus on innovative ideas, he announced that the government would give "design and excellence awards" from next year.

Stating that Manipur has plenty of medicinal plants and herbs, he said: "We should promote natural dye in the state to boost income. A start-up policy has been launched to solve the unemployment problem. The policy focuses on educated unemployed youths and they can avail the opportunity."

The minister asked officials of the directorate of handlooms and textiles to properly screen cards for weavers and while giving Mudra loans. He also advised officials to provide trainings to untrained weavers.

A logo of handloom and handicrafts was launched. A reference book, Manipur Handloom Development Programme, and a book authored by Mutua Bahadur were also released.

Three national awardees were honoured with cash prize of Rs 4.4 lakh each.

Two state awardees were given Rs 1 lakh each and two merit awardees got Rs 50,000 each.

A documentary film, Chara Lyong - Looms and Life, was also released and screened at the function.