With an aim to generate large-scale employment in the state, the government of the eastern Indian state of Odisha has resolved to establish 10 handloom and 10 handicraft clusters in the state, so as to best tap the potential of the industry.
Handloom and handicraft is the second highest employment generating industry in Odisha, next to agriculture.
After reviewing the progress of the handloom and handicraft industry of the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the departmental authorities to soon finalize apt locations for the new clusters and prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for each cluster.
Addressing media post-meeting, Chief Secretary BK Patnaik said that generation of large scale employment, productivity enhancement and financial and social upgradation of the underprivileged handloom weavers and handicraft artisans is the main aim underlying the idea of setting up of new clusters.
The clusters would help weavers and artisans in enhancing capacity building, skill upgradation and by extending training, raw material and market support, he added.
The proposed clusters are expected to create over 10 million self-employment opportunities each for handloom weavers and handicraft artisans.
The Secretary also informed that the work of setting up a handloom and handicraft museum at Gandamunda in Bhubaneswar has begun.
Source:
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