17
Summary No-07
Profile of the Student:
Name: Urikhimbam Fernandes Singh
Degree Programme:MBA
University/ Institute:Manipur Institute of Management Studies, Manipur University
Profile of the Mentor:
Name: Rajkumar Y. Meitei
Designation:AGM
Department: FSDD/BID/DFIBT/DEAR/NABCONS
Name of Regional Office : Manipur (Imphal)
Objectives of the study
i.To study the problems and Prospects in Handloom Sector in Manipur
Sample State/ Distt/ Blocks/ Villages:
4 districts (Imphal East, Thoubal, Churachandpur and
Ukhrul) & 200 beneficiaries
Research Methodology:
Purposive SAMPLING
Major Findings:
A. CREDIT LINKAGE:
1. There is huge credit gap in financing this sector.
2. Though the banks agree that the sector has high potential, they are not investing much in this sector.
3. Weaver Credit Card (WCC) targets allotted to the banks are not taken seriously.
4. Major reason for reluctance by Banks is the fear of poor repayment (past experience) in the Sector.
Another reason is the delay in release of the subsidy of margin money.
5. These shortfalls in finance are met from credit from private lenders and local Micro Finance
Institutions, which provide their working capital requirement.
6. High Level of financial exclusion is observed. 44% of the sample do not even have a Savings Bank
A/c and 83% do not have access to formal financial support from any Bank.
7. Only 17% of the Banks organize financial literacy program at least once a year
8. Collective or group financing like SHG, JLG, Society etc. based financing are a preferred mode of
financing by Banks.
B. CHALLENGES OF HANDLOOM SECTOR:
1. Huge Decline in the number of Handloom workers in Manipur is a major challenge. Number of
weavers have declined from4.62 Lakh (HandloomCensus of India, 1995-96) to 2.04 LakhHandloom
workers (Handloom Census of India, 2009-10)
2. The Growth of Handloom Sector in Manipur is hampered with several issues such as inadequate
credit flow, lack of marketing interventions, high transportation costs, problems of connectivity &
communications, weak Handloom co-operative societies, lack of exporters of Handloom products,
high cost of yarn, Lack of proper Yarn Depot, etc.
3. There is lack of funds and resources in most of the Handloom societies. Also, lack of trust and huge
communication gap between the leaders/office bearers and members.
4. Average Income of the Weavers is very low in Manipur and there is an urgent need for addressing
this, else the viability of weaving as a sole means of livelihood is at a risk.
5. There is a system of Yarn supply by NHDC under which small Yarn Depots (117 Clusters) are
supported.8% of the Handloom Weavers of Manipur have Yarn Pass Book. Implementation of the
scheme needs to be improved and so as to bring in more weavers under their Yarn Supply Scheme
by creating more awareness.
