Government launches special scheme for handloom sector
Government is all set to extend helping hand to the ailing handloom sector in line with its plans to provide sustenance and facilitate growth to the small and medium scale industry, suffering major challenges due to decline in demand in the traditional export destinations.
Government today launched the Integrated Handloom Clusters Development Scheme (IHCDS) under which each of selected 20 clusters would be developed at an upper cost of Rs 2 crore in four years. Each cluster would have about 5,000 handlooms according to the Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran.
The Union Ministry today inaugurated the Handloom Clusters Expo-2009 which is aimed to provide more market exposure to the handloom weavers and service providers. Mr. Maran said on the occasion, "This is the first time such an event has been organized by the textile ministry at national level. We plan to organize similar events in 2010, for which financial allocations have been made."
The minister said that the government would leave no stone unturned for supporting the handloom and handicraft industry which needs more sops and incentives for revitalization and facing stiff competition.
