The Textiles Ministry has extended US $935,000 in financial support to handloom weavers across Odisha clusters, boosting livelihoods, skills, and traditional textile production.
The Union Ministry of Textiles has provided Rs. 8.38 crore (US $ 935,000) in financial assistance to 6,572 handloom weavers across 17 clusters in Cuttack and Bargarh districts between 2015–16 and November this year, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita informed the Rajya Sabha.
In a written reply, the minister said the ministry had trained 5,856 weavers during the period, organized 69 marketing events and facilitated the distribution of 7,685 Mudra loans to support livelihoods in the handloom sector. He added that more than 71,442 weavers had been enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana insurance schemes.
According to the minister, 56 award-winning weavers are currently receiving monthly financial assistance, while nine producer companies have been formed to support handloom weavers, including women, in strengthening production and market access.
Replying to a question raised by Rajya Sabha member Debashish Samantaray, Margherita said design resource centers had been established in 16 weavers’ service centers across the country, including one in Bhubaneswar. He added that the ministry was implementing the Handloom Marketing Assistance programme to expand the domestic and international reach of handloom products.
The minister also said special emphasis was being placed on promoting Geographical Indication tags for handloom products, including Odisha ikat, to enhance their visibility, authenticity and market value.
News Courtesy : Apparel resources