Odisha exports on an average Rs64 lakh of handloom products to foreign countries every year, which accounts for a mere 0.03 per cent of the total handloom exports of the country.This information was furnished by Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Snehangini Chhuria in response to a question of BJP MlA Dilip Ray.
The Minister informed that Odisha exports an average of handloom products of Rs 7.58 crore to other States in the country. The State contributes only three per cent of handloom products being produced in the country.As many as 1,92,339 people belonging to 40,683 weaver families are now depending on 43, 652 handlooms. The State produces handloom clothes worth Rs1 crore every day. An average of 221.81 square metre of handloom clothes worth `364 crore are being produced in the State every year, the Minister informed.
Replying to a question of BJD MlA Dr Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik and others on Saturday, the Minister said all Tehsildars have been directed to provide land to weaver families which have no homestead land under the Basundhara Yojana.
She said those weaver families who have homestead land and houses are being provided financial support for establishment of workshops under the Chief Minister’s Special Yojana and Integrated Handloom Yojana. The landless families would get this benefit after they are provided with homestead land by Tehsildars.
Chhuria said a total of 158 weaver families belonging to the Dera community are residing in Brahmapur city now. Of them, 113 families of own have residential houses. The Brahmapur Tehsildar has been requested to provide home land to the rest 45 families. After they get the Government land under Basundhara Yojana, they would also be given incentives for setting up of workshops.
