Irani announces handicrafts mega cluster in Varanasi

Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani today announced a special handicraft mega cluster to benefit around 21,000 artisans of different crafts here and also launched a programme to provide special training to young artisans.
The Union Ministersanctioned a fund of Rs 31 crore for the special mega cluster to benefit nearly 21,000 artisans of different crafts.
She announced Rs 31 crore fund in the first phase of the integrated project encapsulating Common Facility Centres, Raw Material Bank and better facilities to support handicrafts here.
The minister also launched 'Dastakar Chaupal', an initiative of the Textiles Ministry, that aims atsensitizingartisans of different crafts of Varanasi.

It will help initiating a baseline survey to assess requirement of skill sets, raw material and market accessibility for artisans, she said further.
Dastakar Chaupal launched here will ensure effective implementation of Integrated Project for Development and Promotion of Handicrafts, she said.

In the first phase, 14 Dastakar Chaupals across different clusters will be organised to ensure inclusive development and promotion of Varanasi handicrafts, she said.
The 'Guru Shishya Parampara' also launched today to bring together experienced artisans and young generation to impart training in ancient handicraft.
She said that initially they have planned for seven major crafts of Varanasi, for which the guru shishya parampara will boost entrepreneurship among new generation, she tweeted.

Irani also condoled the death of 25 people in the stampede occurred at the Rajghat bridge here yesterday and wished for a speedy recovery of injured.