In its endeavour to become a consolidator to the textile sector and to uplift the conditions of the handloom weavers and ensure that they get continuous employment, two Memorandum of Understanding were signed in the presence of the Union Minister of Textiles, Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao, Secretary (Textiles), Govt. of India, Smt. Zohra Chatterji, Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Shri Balvinder Kumar, Joint Secretary Shri Sujit Gulati and other officials of the Ministry of Textiles.
The first MoU was signed between National Textile Corporation (NTC) Ltd. and National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC) Ltd. While the second one was signed between Association of Corporations and Apex Societies of Handlooms (ACASH), NHDC and Exim Bank.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rao congratulated the heads all the organisations and said that “they must work tirelessly towards the cause and ensure the success of the venture.” He further mentioned that “periodic review of the sales and progress of the weavers in the targeted clusters will be carried out.”
NTC and NHDC - Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) under the Ministry of Textiles - have joined hands to elevate the sustainability of handloom clusters. NHDC through its handloom agencies and identified clusters will supply handloom products to NTC at reasonable prices and NTC in turn will use its vast network of 84 retail stores to sell the same. NTC will also use its other initiatives like “StreeVijay” etc. to promote the handloom products as well.
Further, ACASH, NHDC and EXIM bank have agreed to form a joint venture company (JVC) for the promotion and marketing of handloom products in India and abroad through fairs and exhibitions, retail stores and buying houses.
The JVC would also undertake training programmes for weavers/ artisans for dissemination of improved techniques and new designs/ packaging, buyer-seller meets, workshops focusing on new and improved designs, equipments and processing techniques, publicity for handloom sector in India and abroad and will help establish linkages with national and international organizations for marketing of handloom products.
With about 15 per cent share of handlooms in textile production and significant contribution in export earnings, presently, the handloom sector provides employment to 43.31 lakh persons engaged on 23.77 lakh handlooms across the country.
