Handlooms and Textiles Minister Snehangini Chhuria has asked concerned officials to prepare a `500-crore budget for upliftment of weavers of the State.
At a review meeting held at the DRDA office here on Thursday, the Minister lamented that the weavers are leaving their traditional profession and opting for other jobs.
“The reason is crystal clear. Financial non-return from the traditional job compels the weavers to leave their age-old profession. It is high time to take the matter seriously and bring back these people to their prime work. We also have to create new markets for them,” said Chhuria.
She further asked the officials to give details of the problems faced by the weavers of the State in general and Western Odisha in particular. The Minister also stressed on the need for including weavers in different welfare schemes of the Government so that they can get additional benefits.
Textiles Deputy Director Dasaratha Nanda said, “More than 32, 000 weavers are there in Sambalpur and Bargarh districts only. But the monthly income of each weaver family is hardly Rs 3,000. Hence, we should take measures to increase their monthly income on priority basis”.