The Textiles Ministry has given financial assistance worth US$935,000 to weavers belonging to the Handloom sector in the State of Odisha. The Union Ministry of Textiles has given financial assistance of Rs. 8.38 crores (US$935,000) to a total of 6,572 Handloom weavers spread over 17 handloom clusters in the districts of Cuttack and Bargarh during the period 2015-16 and up to November this year, said Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita in the Rajya Sabha.
In a written statement, the Minister reported that a total number of 5,856 weavers had been trained by the ministry, conducted 69 marketing events, and assisted weavers with the reception of 7,685 MUDRA loans. In addition, over 71,442 weavers had been enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana schemes, according to the Minister.
As per the minister, 56 award-winning weavers are at present getting monthly financial support, while nine producer companies have been formed to help handloom weavers, including women, to enhance production as well as market access.
In response to a question asked by member of the Rajya Sabha, Debashish Samantaray, Margherita stated that design resource centers had been set up in 16 weavers’ service centers, including Bhubaneswar, and that the Handloom Marketing Assistance Scheme had been introduced to ensure that the reach of handlooms is not limited to the national territory alone, but extends to the international horizon.
The minister added that in order to increase the visibility, authenticity, and market value of handloom goods, such as Odisha ikat, special attention was being given to promoting Geographical Indication marks.
