Imphal: Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Jyotiraditya Scindia on Thursday chaired the third review meeting on Manipur’s development.
The meeting focused on assessing the progress of ongoing projects, identifying new opportunities for inclusive growth, and aligning the state’s development priorities with the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion on reviving Manipur Polo as a symbol of both cultural heritage and economic opportunity. Union Minister Scindia shared plans to rejuvenate the sport through the creation of world-class coaching centres and institutions, aiming to re-establish Manipur as India’s Polo Capital.
The initiative seeks to boost sports tourism, empower local youth, and showcase Manipur’s unique cultural identity on the global stage, while aligning with the broader vision of sustainable tourism and rural enterprise development.
The union minister also reviewed initiatives to strengthen Manipur’s traditional handloom and handicraft sectors. He announced the creation of 250 mini and 200 mega production units and extended support for Self-Help Groups to empower artisans and weaving communities. These measures, he said, would preserve the state’s craft heritage and create new livelihood opportunities, positioning Manipur as a hub of creative enterprise and entrepreneurship.
The discussions also focused on infrastructure and industrial expansion through the establishment of an Integrated Textile Park with an Institute of Technology and Design to foster innovation and skill development. Scindia underscored the importance of connecting Vibrant Villages to the PM Gati Shakti framework to deepen rural tourism integration, strengthen logistics connectivity, and enhance last-mile access.
In the agricultural sector, the Minister reviewed the progress of palm oil cultivation and set a target of 10,000 hectares over the next four years to promote agri-based livelihoods and self-reliance. He also directed officials to expedite logistics and industrial infrastructure projects and attract greater private investment to unlock Manipur’s economic potential.
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During the meeting, Scindia reviewed the status of ongoing projects and emphasized the need for accelerated implementation and outcome-based progress across all sectors. He reaffirmed that MDoNER would continue to act as a proactive facilitator, ensuring that development in Manipur remains inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with the aspirations of its people.
The meeting was held in the presence of Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, senior officials from the Ministry of DoNER, and the state government.
