Minister of State (MoS) for Textiles Ajay Tamta has said that government is taking several steps for the welfare of textiles weavers. Presiding over the 3rd National Handloom Day program held on August 7 in Guwahati, the Minister said that the government not only appreciates the weavers, but also salutes their commitment, dedication and skill.

The MoS informed that 90 per cent of the cost of new loom weavers will be borne by the government under the ‘Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata’ (handloom promotion assistance) scheme. He also said the government is working over the fair-price concern of weavers and a conclusion will be drawn soon in this direction.

Tamta said a loan facility of upto Rs 10 lakh is available to weavers under the Centre’s ambitious Mudra Yojana, for which no security amount is needed.

Tamta assured the Chief Minister of Assam that the Center will complete all the needs of the state for the welfare of the weavers of Assam.

Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for choosing Guwahati for hosting the 3rd National Handloom Day, Chief Guest of the programme, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said more than 50 per cent of the weavers’ population lives in the eastern region of india, of which the majority is formed by women. He said the prime purpose of organising this National Handloom Day in Guwahati is to empower women and girls.

Sonowal said North-East plays a vital role in the growth of handloom sector.

Textiles Secretary Ananth Kumar Singh said that our weavers are very hard, their creation also shows heart and identity. He said that we have to find some way through which weavers earn their income and they should get a bigger share of their product.

On the occasion, an MoU was also inked between the Textiles Ministry and Common Facility Centers under which the weavers will get government services under one roof in form of Weavers Service Center (WSC).