Government to develop Nuapatna as integrated handloom hub

Bhubaneswar, Aug 29 (UNI) The Orissa government today decided to develop Nuapatna in Cuttack District as an integrated handloom hub of the state.

The decision was taken at a meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

The meeting was convened to discuss various problems facing the weavers and find out ways for the development of handloom in the state.

The government also announced a slew of measures for the benefit of the weavers and development of handloom in the state.

Sources said the government announced to constitute a welfare fund to help the weavers overcome their health-related problems and to impart training to 2000 weavers every year for their capacity building.

Opening up of branches of Apparel Training and Design centres at Berhampur, Cuttack, Samblpur, Baripada and Rourkela towns and construction of worksheds for 1000 weavers every year under the Weavers Workshop scheme were the other decisions taken at the meeting.

The meeting also decided to organise exhibitions and sales centres in areas famous for their handloom products.

The government decided to set up raw material banks to supply high quality thread, colour and chemicals needed for handloom products through self-help groups and Primary Weaving Coopertive societies.

A handloom museum would be set up at Bhubaneswar for the conservation, publicity and research on traditional Orissa handloom clothes, the meeting resolved.

UNI