INDIAN STATE : MANIPUR

General Information

Situated between latitudes 23.80oN to 25.68oN and longitudes 93.03oE to 94.78o E, Manipur covers a total geographical area of 22,327 Sq. km. Of the total area, about nine-tenths constitute the hills which surrounds the remaining one-tenth valley. It is one of the border states in the North-Eastern part of India, bounded by Nagaland on the north, Assam on the west and Mizoram on the south and along the east, it shares a 352 km. long international boundary with Myanmar.

Three kinds of ethnic groups inhabit the land of Manipur namely the "Meiteis" in the valley and the "Nagas" and the "Kuki-Chin" in the hills. People sare predominantly Mongoloid and speak Tibeto Burmese languages. English is the official language and Meitei is the mother tongue of the people. Manipur is blessed with the temperate climate through out the year with two main seasons. Rainfall varies from 1000 mm to 3500 mm with an average rainfall of 2000 mm with red fertile soil in the hills and alluvium soil in the valley.

Fact File

Geographical Area*	0.22 (lakh sq. km)
Capital	Imphal
Population (2001 Census) In lakhs	21.67
Percentage of State Population to All India Population	0.21
Literacy Percentage·	70.53%
Male Literacy· Female Literacy	80.33%60.53%
Principal Language	Manipuri, English

* Excludes Mao-Maran, Paomata,Purul sub divisions of Senapati districts of Manipur.

Source: CSO Estimates.
Nagaland Industrial Development Corp Ltd ,
Director of Industries & Commerce, Govt of Nagaland.

Climate

Manipur is blessed with a salubrious climate the year round. It has two main seasons separated by two transitions:

• Winter (December to February)
  
• Pre-Monsoon (March and April)
  
• Monsoon (May to September)
  
• Post-Monsoon (October and November)

The southwest monsoon chiefly determines the weather and rainfall throughout the state. The state has tropical to temperate climate depending upon elevation. Rainfall varies from 1000 mms to 3500 mms and average rainfall is 2000 mms. Temperature ranges from sub-zero to 36 degree Celsius.

Advantage Manipur

• The state has a unique advantage acting as a gateway to the east as sharing a 398KM international border with Myanmar and the proposed South East Asia super highway.
  
  
• Large potential of Human Resources available at a highly competitive cost.
  
  
• Presence of reputed institutions of National importance such as
  
  
  • Central Agricultural University
    
    
  • Center for Electronic Design and Technology of India
    
    
  • Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology
    
    
  • Regional Tasar Research Center
    
    
• Manipur has been classified as a Global Bio Diversity hot spot, which denotes an eco system rich in bio-diversity and rare species.
  
  
• Manipur has a vast potential for the plantation of exotic fruit like passion fruit, amla, olives, figs, mandarin, orange, pineapple and bananas.
  
  
• The state has recorded the least consumption of chemical fertilizers in agriculture and horticulture farming.
  
  
• Manipur has around 100 varieties of Medicinal and aromatic plants, which offers tremendous potential for investment.
  
  
• The Saurashtra - Silchar super highway is extended to Moreh. With the proposed extension to Thailand, Manipur will become the gateway to South East Asia.
  

Economic infrastructure

Airways

Imphal is the second largest airport in the region. Imphal is connected to Kolkata, New Delhi, Guwahati, Aizwal and Silchar by Indian airlines and Jet airways flights.

Railways

NH-39 links Imphal with railhead at Dimapur in Nagaland 215 km to the north.
NH-53 links Imphal with railhead at Jiribam 225 km in the southwest.

Roads

Three national highways, viz., NH-39, NH-53 and NH-150 criss-cross the state connecting all districts.

The Saurashtra- Silchar Super Highway project is being extended at Moreh. With the proposed Moreh to Mae Sot (Thailand) highway coming up, Manipur will become the gateway to South-East Asia.

Power

The Power supply of the state of Manipur depends upon the Central Sector Power Plants located in the North Eastern Region. The share of power for Manipur from the Central sector power plants including the shares from the unallocated share of power of the Central Projects is 141.15 MW when the plants are operated at their full capacity. The availability of power from the Central projects varies from month to month depending upon the hydropower generation, which is dependent on rainfall. According to the latest available estimates, the availability of power from the Central Sector power plants during peak hours is 63.75 MW. The requirement of the State is 120 MW during peak hours. At present the State draws 83.75 MW by overdrawing 20 MW from the Central Projects.

The peak power requirement of Manipur by the year, 2006-07 and 2011-12 as per the 16th Electric Power Survey of India are 252 MW and 406 MW respectively.

Manipur is also richly endowed with considerable hydro-power potential. There are a large number of perennial streams and rivers in Manipur, which can be exploited for generating power through mini/small/major hydel projects.

Transportation

Imphal, the state Capital, is well connected by air with Delhi, Calcutta and Guwahati. Further, National Highway No. NH-39 and NH-53 link the state with the rest of the country respectively through the railway heads at Dimapur in Nagaland at a distance of 215 km. and Silchar in Assam of 269 km. from Imphal. The total road length in Manipur is about 7170 km in a network connecting all the important towns and far off villages of the state.

Social Infrastructure

Health

The state has altogether 539 primary health care institutions, 13 hospitals including one state level hospital (J.N Hospital) as referral centre and 7 district hospitals. Other 9 Drug de-addiction centres, TB centers at 6 districts, 4 Leprosy Control Unit and 6 STD Clinics are functioning in the state.

Human Resources

A large reservoir of human resources is available at highly competitive cost. Strength lies in engineering, computers, medicine, agricultural and other professions.

Literacy rate	69 per cent
Official Language	English is one of the official language is widely understood.
Universities (in No.)	2
General Colleges (in No.)	50
Professional institutes (in No.)	40

Major Industries

Agriculture and agro-based industries

Agriculture plays a vital role and is the backbone of the state economy. It engages 76% of the workers. The size of the cultivated area is, however, only 9.41% of the total geographical area of the state. Of this total cultivated area, 52% is confined to the valley. Therefore, half of the total valley area, which accommodates 67% of the total population, is occupied for agriculture purposes.

Though agriculture is mainly dependent on monsoon, around 28.49% of area under cultivation is irrigated by Canals. Moreover with a range of natural conditions and varied soil and topography, the state produces sizeable quantity of paddy, wheat, maize, pulses, oilseeds such as mustard, groundnut, soybeans, sunflower, ginger, turmeric and fruits like pineapple, lime/lemon, banana, orange, papaya, plum and vegetables like, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, peas, carrot, pumpkin, etc. The existing area under fruits and vegetable crop is about 1.08% of the total geographical area and with such suitable agro-climatic conditions, the state still has lots of potential areas on the foot hills, mild hill slopes and along the river banks.

Manipur's traditional liquor generally referred to "Yu" is comparable with any other best quality hard liquor such as vodka etc. The traditional manufacturing of such liquor can attract a wide market, with good branding and packaging.

Potential Areas for Exports

• Pineapple fresh, packed pulp, juices, slices, toffees
  
• Passion fruit fresh juice and concentrate
  
• Bamboo shoots fresh in brine / canned, dry, fermented
  
• Mushrooms-canned and dried
  
• Lemon, orange juice concentrate
  
• Ginger oil, ginger ale and oleoresin

Handloom and Handicraft Industries

Handloom sector remains an important source of income especially for womenfolk of the state. It provides maximum number of employment after agriculture. The main handloom products of Manipur are sarees, bed sheets, curtains, towels, tablecloth, fashion garments with intricate designs, scarves, pillow covers, woolen shawls among others.

Handicrafts of Manipur have a unique place among the various crafts of the country and have their won aesthetic and artistic value. Although handicrafts industry was originally started as a traditional part-time activity in rural areas without any significant market demand, it has been transformed into a flourishing industry over the years. Today the handicraft sector is not restricted to aesthetic and artistic value rather the incorporation of design and new ideas make these products daily utility items broadening the marketability as well as scope of handicraft products.

Among the crafts, cane and bamboo crafts is most wide spread throughout the state because of availability of abundant raw materials and demands from both domestic as well as international buyers. Bamboo production of Manipur is above ten lakh ton per annum. The number of artisans engaged in cane and bamboo craft is around 1.50 lakh. In view of the large raw material resources, number of trained/skilled artisans and entrepreneurs and a high market demand, there is ample scope for investment to set up more cane and bamboo enterprises in the state.

Kouna (water reed) craft also has huge potential for large-scale plantation, production and marketing. Kouna products also have both domestic and export demand. The demand is mainly from cities like Delhi and Mumbai within India and foreign countries like UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, UAE, Latin American Countries and Switzerland.

Horticulture

Gifted with suitable agro-climatic conditions, Manipur is home to various food and cash crops, fruits and vegetables. The soil is fertile and well suited for growing of different fruits and vegetables. Organic farming is the most sought after practice in the hilly areas of the state. In addition, pineapple, passion fruit and mushroom are cultivated commercially in the state.. Manipur has vast potential for commercial plantation of fruits like lemon, orange, pineapple, banana, passion fruit and amla. The quality of pineapple (both queen and kew varieties) is distinct with unique taste and flavour. The state government has given special impetus to farming for pineapple, passion fruit, mushroom, etc. on a massive scale.

Also, bamboo shoot and ginger are available in plenty and can be exploited commercially.

Schemes like technology mission for integrated development of horticulture with the objective improving production and productivity of horticultural crops by harnessing the potential of the region makes this field a viable option for commercialization as well as marketing.

Sericulture

Sericulture is a traditional industry of Manipur. The state's climatic conditions are favourable for this industry, although the prevailing production trend of silk in the state is around 230 MT per year. All the varieties of silk available in the world are produced in the state, viz., oak, tasar, eri, muga and mulberry silk. Manipur has vast reserves of natural oak. All types of the feed plants grow in the state luxuriantly. Eri silk has become the monopoly of Assam and Manipur. The present area coverage of muga silkworm rearing in the state is about 250 hectares.

Recently, vigorous efforts have been made to enhance the production of mulberry and eri silk production. These efforts have added a new dimension to Manipur's sericulture industry. The State Sericulture Department has starting implementing the Manipur Sericulture Project at an estimated cost of Rs. 490.59 crore with loan assistance from Japan Bank of International Cooperation.

Tourism

Manipur has tremendous potential in tourism industry, as it is a place of glorious history and rich and varied culture. It is also known as the "Switzerland of the east" owing to its serene natural beauty and exotic flora and fauna.

Manipur is a little paradise on earth and is home to rare species of flora and fauna with exotic scenery of fertile plains surrounded by green hills. One who makes overture at tourist adventures in this state will be greeted with virgin forests, cascading rivers, breathtaking hill landscapes, green clad vales and meandering streams.

Manipur also has a rich tradition of art and culture and is an emerging sports power. The tradition of games and sports dates back to history of small kingdoms, which were in keen competition with one another.

The state's enchanting landscape along with the various tourist attractions offers fairly excellent opportunity for developing different types of tourism.

Information Technology

Recognizing the vast potential of IT industry in the state, the Government of Manipur accords high priority to the electronics and information technology sector as a major thrust area of development. A special package of incentives is provided to facilitate competitive growth of the sector.

Manipur has ample manpower potential ideally suited for electronics and IT based industries. In view of the unpolluted and eco-friendly environment conditions and ever-growing qualitative work force, the state of Manipur is an ideal location for units of IT industry.

The Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. has been established as a public sector undertaking to fill up the gaps for development of electronics including information technology based industries in the State.

Policy Framework

New industrial Policy 2002

To facilitate rapid and substantial industrial development in the state through enhanced investment, an investor-friendly environment, provision for infrastructure and institutional support, attractive incentive package and optimum utilisation of existing resources in order to gainfully exploit emerging opportunities in the National and International markets and generate substantial income and employment avenues for the people of Manipur. This will be done by providing industry access to high quality infrastructure, extending institutional support for technology upgradation, deregulating the business environment for an efficient, proactive and transparent administrative frame-work and catalyzing the entrepreneurial as well as creative capabilities of the human resources.

Goals of the policy

• Create necessary conditions for maximum possible utilisation by tapping locally available raw material and human resources for industrialisation.
  
• Create gainful employment opportunities for local population.
  
• Develop industrial infrastructure in selected areas by providing common facilities in a compact area for specialised categories of industrial units. Provide other critical infrastructure such as power, water, communication, etc.
  
• Promote export-oriented industries with a view to exploit the emerging market opportunities in the neighbouring countries.
  
• Develop marketing facilities for industrial products.
  
• Encourage large and medium industries in public, private, joint and assisted sectors to create an industrial base making use of the available resource base of the State in selective categories compatible with local environment and ecology.
  
• Develop village and small-scale service and Business Enterprises (SSSBE) to provide self-employment to educated youths.
  
• Develop and promote Tourism industry in the State.
  
• Revive and rehabilitate sick industrial units in the State.
  
• Develop Food processing industry by facilitating forward and backward linkages.
  
• Expedite formalization and development of cross border trade with Myanmar.
  
• Provide investor-friendly environment by removing procedural bottlenecks and legal hurdles.
  
• Provide industry access to high quality infrastructure.
  
• Enhance value addition in products and processes through rapid technology upgradation.
  
• Encouraging quality control, standardization and competitiveness of the local products.
  
• Ensuring minimization of pollution and encouraging eco-friendly units.
  
• Encouraging industry based on medicinal plants and encouraging Research and development in the field.

Full text of the policy

Information Technology Policy

Information Technology (IT) offers a new opportunity for economic growth, employment and knowledge-based development for Manipur. Information Technology can overcome geographic disadvantages provided reliable and necessary telecommunication infrastructure along with power supply is in place. The state government recognizes that IT has the potential for bringing about significant progress in the socio-economic development of Manipur, for which the state government has to evolve a dynamic and coordinated IT policy.

Objectives of the policy

The objectives of the policy are as follows:

• Set up the Institutional Framework to implement and monitor the IT Policy
  
• Use E-Governance to upgrade the standard and quality of administration, and to provide citizen oriented, efficient and cost-effective government.
  
• Promote investments and growth in IT industry, and encourage private sector initiative in IT related infrastructure and services, so as to increase the contribution of IT in the economic growth of the State.
  
• Provide adequate infrastructure in the State so that the IT sector can flourish.
  
• Encourage percolation of IT literacy and education in the State.
  
• Generate IT related employment opportunities for the educated youth.
  
• Use the power of IT to enhance earning capacity of the citizens for a better quality of life.

Full text of the policy

Useful Web Links

Government of Manipur

Government Department Web Directory