Handloom production needs to Double from present level around Rs.60000 Cr to Rs 125000 crore in 3 years – Shri Goyal

New Delhi:7/8/21: Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce, and Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food and Public Distribution Shri Piyush Goyal has said that steps need to be taken to increase the production capacities of the handloom sector from the existing 60 thousand crore rupees to over one lakh 25 thousand crore rupees within three years. He added that a target must be set to increase the export of handloom items from existing 2,500 crore rupees to 10,000 crore rupees in the next three years. Addressing an event on the occasion of 7th National Handloom Day here today, Shri  Goyal said that nation is committed to ensuring sustainable development of the handloom sector thereby empowering handloom weavers and workers financially and instilling pride in their exquisite craftsmanship.

The minister announced that a  committee will be constituted consisting of all weavers, trainers equipment makers, marketing experts, and other stakeholders to recommend ways and means to achieve the objective and improve the all-around progress of the handloom sector.

He mentioned that handloom sector has a unique place in our cultural heritage. For centuries, it has been sustained by the inter-generational transfer of weaving and designing skills. He said  that it was in a Kolkata Town Hall meeting held on August 07, 1905 that the Swadeshi

Movement was launched which aimed at reviving domestic products and production processes. Shri Goyal added that to commemorate this historical occasion, and to celebrate our handloom tradition, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared 7th August as National Handloom Day in 2015. In the 75th year of independence, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has urged all of us as a nation to buy Indian Handloom products and showcase their grandeur by associating with #MyHandloomMyPride. The minister also urged people to buy at least one handloom item in order to promote weavers and handloom sector.

In his address Secretary Ministry of Textiles Shri U. P. Singh said that an e-commerce portal is being developed in coordination with Digital India Corporation (under MEITY) for handloom weavers and handicraft artisans. This will enable our weavers and artisans to sell directly to consumers. He  further said that in order to support the handloom sector and to enable a wider market, steps have been taken to on-board weavers onto the Government e-Market place (GeM). This step would enable weavers to sell their products directly to various Government Departments and organizations. So far about 1.50 lakh weavers have been on-boarded on the GeM portal, he added.

Shri Goyal and Smt. Darshana Jardosh also interacted with the weavers who came from different corners of the country to attend the National Handloom Day celebrations. An exihibition depicting rich variety  of  exquisite handloom products was also organized at Convention hall, Hotel Ashok where the function was held.