Chief Minister Raman Singh has said that many weaver co-operative societies in Chhattisgarh have now been relieved of the burden of loans.
The weavers cooperative societies are extending every possible support to the weavers through the State Government’s Village Industries Department, he said after inaugurating a national handloom exhibition in Raipur on Monday.In the inaugural programme, four weavers were awarded cheques of Rs1 lakh each along with shawl and shreephal under Chhattisgarh Handloom Promotion Award Scheme.
He also distributed incentives worth more than Rs8lakh to 193 meritorious children of weavers’ families in state.Village Industries Minister Punnulal Mohile presided over the programme. On the occasion, Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Raipur MlAShrichand Sundrani, RMC Mayor Kiranmayee Nayak, Chairman Sanjay Shrivastav and Principal Secretary, Village Industries Department Amitabh Jain were also present. It is noteworthy that National Expo 2014 has been jointly organized by Rural Industry Department, Chhattisgarh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Marketing Federation.
As chief guest of the programme, Chief Minister Raman Singh said that handloom weaving cottage industry is a rich and prestigious tradition in all the states of the country including Chhattisgarh.Weavers of Chhattisgarh have gained recognition across the country and abroad in this important sector of cottage industry. The Chief Minister expressed hope that their participation in this National Expo will be an opportunity for the weavers from ten states of the country including Chhattisgarh to learn more about each other’s handloom traditions art and culture.
In the programme, four weavers were awarded Rs one lakh under Deendayal Handloom Promotion Scheme.Takhatpur resident Bechelal Dewangan and Giridharilal Dewangan, a resident of village Kera Janjgir-Champa district were awarded for year 2012-13 whereas Chandrahas Dewangan, a resident of ChandrapurJanjgir-Champa district, and Damrudhar Dewangan, a resident of Bhanwarpur village of Mahasamund district were awarded for year 2013-14.
Under Education Promotion Scheme, Singh distributed incentives worth more than Rs8.19 lakh to talented students of weaver families who have cleared10th and 12th board exams with flying colours. Village Industries Minister Punnulal Mohile said that national expo for handloom weavers is organized every year in Raipur in association with State Government and Union Ministry of Textile.
In year 2001-02, government procurement of handloom clothes was only of Rs60,000 but in last 14 years, this has increased to Rs115.27 crore in year 2013-14.Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal said that handloom weavers should be given training in advanced technology of new era so that their skills are improved and they may get better market for their products.He said that in this direction, the State Government is making every possible effort.