Odisha to set up Handloom & Handicraft Dev & Promotion council

The Odisha government today decided to establish the Handloom and Handicrafts Development and Promotion Council in the state and restructuring of the cadre of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS).
A proposal in this regard was approved at the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik.
"The proposed council will benefit above 4.5 lakh of weavers and artisan families in the state," chief secretary A P Padhi told reporters.
On the prime objectives of the proposed council, Padhi said the body will access the impact of various schemes and programmes being implemented for weavers and artisans and advise the government for framing policies for handloom and handicraft sectors.

The council will suggest long term as well as short term measures for development of the weavers and artisans by optimal utilisation of available resources and leveraging other public and private resources, Padhi said adding that this may lead to the improvement of the livelihood of the weavers families.
The council will also undertake promotional activities such as exhibition, fairs, conferences and other programmes to facilitate sale of handloom and handicraft items on a large scale and improve the market linkage with special focus on exports.

It will also guide the government for conducting periodical soci-economic census and maintenance of database of weavers and artisans in the state.

The headquarters of the proposed Handloom and Handicraft Development and Promotion Council will be at Bhubaneswar. It is proposed to provide funds to the tune of Rs 20 crore during the current financial year, Padhi said adding that the council will function under the administrative control of Handloom, Textiles and Handicrafts Department.
The Cabinet also approved three other proposals like restructuring of the cadre of the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS), revision of cadre strength of Odisha Finance Service.
Restructuring of the Odisha Transport Engineering Service and Odisha Sub-Ordinate Transport Engineering Service cadre and introduction of Odisha Transport Service cadre for the general service officers working under the Transport Department.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to frame rules under the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017.