BJP to promote Kerala's traditional industries

State party president Kummanem Rajashekeran said that the segment continues to be in a state of neglect at present

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will promote Kerala's handloom and other traditional industries for which it urged more funds from the Centre and the state government, state party president Kummanem Rajashekeran said on Saturday.

Rajashekeran told reporters here that the BJP national council meeting to be held in Kozhikode next month would feature a fair showcasing Kerala's traditional industries.

"The day traditional industries get a footing, the tale of Kerala would be different as they have always been the core segment. But due to improper planning and measures, the segment continues to be in a state of neglect," said Rajashekeran.

The traditional industries of the state include handloom, khadi, handicraft, coir, bamboo, pottery and cashew, through which hundreds of thousands of people, particularly women, continue to make a living.

"We have asked all our party members and others to see that on August 15, when the Independence Day is celebrated, all should wear khadi dresses. There will be meetings and seminars at places where the handloom industry is located," said Rajashekeran.

The state unit of the BJP is awaiting a report on the present state of the sector, which it will use to lobby its national leadership in getting necessary funds sanctioned for helping traditional industries that are currently going through tough times.

"There are so many projects through which the Centre can provide funds for these industries, but for that the state government has to come forward to submit projects," Rajashekeran said.

"We wish the new government here will take up this. We find that in several sectors there is a huge under utilisation of funds due to lack of projects and faulty implementation," he said.

The BJP national executive is scheduled to convene on September 23 and the national council on September 24 and 25 in Kozhikode in Kerala.

The convention is expected to bring about 3,000 delegates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, veterans LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, and BJP chief ministers of various states.