Chief Secretary AP Padhi on Saturday reviewed the activities of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department at the State Secretariat here and asked officials to undertake result-oriented projects to make weavers and artisans self-dependent.
Padhi too directed the department to expedite the primary works for establishment of the Handlooms and Handlooms Development Council.
It was decided that an Aadhaar-linked data base of the weavers and the handicraftsmen would be prepared to include them in various motivational and social security programmes.
The Chief Secretary directed to make plans for creating more employment in the apparel-making and powerloom sectors.
It was revealed that three cooperative societies working under the department have been making profits for a few years now. In 2016-17, the Sambalpuri Clothes made a net profit of around Rs 433 crore and the Boynika more than Rs 871 lakh. Similarly, the Utkalika and the Amlan recorded profits of Rs 66 lakh and Rs 48 lakh, respectively.
A total of 1500 powerlooms are now working in the State. It was decided to set up high quality Yarn Bank for the powerlooms.
Besides, it was decided to set up an Apparel Incubation Centre in the city. While the centre would have three incubation centres, three new youth entrepreneurs would work here. As many as 100 machines would be provided to each entrepreneur. The centre would create employment opportunities for 600 boys and girls.
The meeting also decided to upgrade the Odisha Handicraft Museum to a centre of culture. Henceforth, various cultural programmes, tourism festivals, children’s festival and workshops on handlooms and handicrats would be organised in the museum premises.
Department’s Secretary Shubha Sharma and Additional Secretary Brundaban Behere were present.