Chief Secretary RS Sharma said that economy of the State can be strengthened by the growth of livelihood in rural areas. After meeting the officers of Industries department on Thursday, which discussed development of sericulture activities in the State, the CS stressed on empowering women especially.
Special Secretary, Industry cum Director Sericulture, Handloom & Handicraft, Shri. Dhirendra Kumar presented the details of sericulture, handloom and handicrafts development in Jharkhand. The department has played a significant role in the field by being an implementing body as well as a facilitator for its growth. By putting into operation the ‘reshamdoot’ concept, which involves forming of self-help groups of 25 people, the department had made people self-sufficient.
Kumar said in handloom segment, Cluster Development Schemes has been initiated to bring into the trade a large number of people both weaver community members as well as non-weavers. The revival of handicrafts on cluster basis has also shown a considerable improvement, he said and added that the Jharcraft is the only supplier of certified organic tasar silk in world.
The Chief Secretary suggested consolidation of this holistic programme of employment generation and draw out a strategy, which will act as a catalyst for this. There should be convergence of National Rural livelihoods Mission (NRlM) in this programme. He also directed to develop an action plan to expand sericulture linking it with bank loans as well as funding for the programme.
Development commissioner AK Sarkar, Secretary of Planning and Development DK Tiwari, Secretary Industry Department Vandana Dadel and Principal Secretary, Food and Forest and Environment Alka Tiwari were along with other officials were present in the meeting.