Govt working out various initiatives for handloom weavers: Min

Union Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta today said that the government is working out various initiatives so that handloom weavers can fetch due value for their produce.

Various initiatives have been taken by the government for welfare of weavers, including Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata Scheme, under which the government assists them by bearing 90% of the cost of new looms, Tamta said, addressing the fourth National Handloom Day here.

He said that weavers can avail MUDRA loan at 6% interest rate, under which margin money of Rs 10,000 is also provided.

The ministry has entered into MoUs with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) whereby children of weavers shall be able to avail school and university education, with 75% of fees being borne by the government. 21 e-commerce entities have been engaged for providing online marketing platform for handloom products, he added.

Rajasthan Industries Minister Rajpal Singh Shekhawat said that handloom represents the old age culture of the country and the state government is implementing various schemes for development of handlooms.

On the occasion, Sant Kabir Awards and National Awards for the year 2016 were conferred to the handloom weavers for their outstanding craftsmanship. State Awards of Rajasthan for the year 2017 were also presented.

Commemorative Postage Stamps on five registered Handloom products -- Baluchari Saree, Bhagalpur Silk, Kashmir Pashmina, PochampallyIkat and Tangaliya Shawl -- were also released during the event.