Assam govt takes initiative to create market linkage for weavers

Government of Assam state is taking up a lot of initiatives to improve the socio-economic condition of weavers, including creating the right market linkage for weavers. This was announced by the Minister for Handloom, Textiles and Cultural Affairs Bismita Gogoi.

Inaugurating the National Level Handloom Expo 2015 held at the Assam Engineering Institute ground, Chandmari, supported by Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and organised by the Directorate of Handloom and Textile, Assam, the Minister said that the department was concentrating on extending economic support to the weavers in various ways.

The Minister further said that to expand business it was important to maintain honesty while dealing with the customers. She said that the handloom sector has given economic empowerment to women. She also called upon the participants at expo to take advantage of the government schemes.

The department has of late undertaken many steps for improving the handloom sector, which is one of the major earning options for the rural people, next to agriculture. One such effort is holding expos inside and outside the State for expansion of business.

DK Nath, Director of Handloom and Textiles said that the department has been holding various expos over the years for the benefit of the weavers. Their efforts got an added drive under the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme that was launched in 2013 by the Government of India.

Nath informed that last year, two expos were held outside the State under the scheme in Agartala and Delhi. This year expos were held in Kolkata, Agartala and Mumbai. In Assam, they already organised an expo at Sivasagarh. The present expo at Chandmari will continue till March 23.

Their attempt is to take the products of Assam outside the State. Expos give an idea to the weavers on consumers requirement. Through expos weavers are learning to cater to the demands of the customers outside the State. Also it becomes important for the weavers to maintain quality and to be open to innovative ideas so as to capture the market.

The Handloom Trade Centre has been opened in Dibrugarh this year to benefit the weavers as it will provide a platform for business as well as exchange of ideas.