Develop natural dyes: Minister

Hyderabad, Nov 5 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Textiles EVKS Elangovan today exhorted the scientists to speed up research to increase the production of natural dyes in the country.

Iaugurating a week-long 'International Symposium on Natural Dyes', organised jointly by the Crafts Council of India (CCI) and UNESCO here, Mr Elangovan pointed out that the usage of synthetic dyes had damaged the eco-system.

Stating that the natural dyes were closly related to the handicrafts he said the handicrafts sector was alone providing employment to six million people and the country earned 3,907 million US Dollars through export this year.

The Centre had recently launched 'Ambedkar Hasta Silpa Vikas Yojana' to develop artisans clusters and promote sales of handicrafts.

State Tourism Minister J Geeta Reddy said the state government was encouraging the artisans by offering pensions, loans and new technology to upgrade their life standards.

UNI AP JJ 2015