Weavers demand a directorate for handloom
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 22 2011:
Reminding the role taken by the handloom industry in the socio-economic condition of the state, many weavers have demanded opening of a separate directorate for handlooms.
Manipuri handloom product is world famous, however, due to lack of interest and transparency in the implementation of various handloom development based schemes, handloom based small industries in the state are dying, they pointed out.
Though the beautifully designed handloom products of state are on high demand in the national and international markets, nothing good has been taken up by the government to improve marketing facilities.
The government is also not taking up welfare schemes for the weavers, they alleged.
The pointed out that during the 11th five year plan, the Centre had earmarked huge funds for implementation of five handloom development schemes through the Development Commissioner (Handloom).
The schemes were Integrated Handloom Development Scheme, Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, Marketing and Export Promotion Scheme, Mill-Gate Price Scheme and Diversified Handloom Development Scheme.
Under these schemes, 39 handloom clusters were to be opened in the state within the period from March, 2007 to November 2011.The Centre had so far released ' 1136.63 lakhs to the state government.
Inspite of the release of the fund, there is no improvement in the handloom sector, they alleged asking whether the scheme was being implemented only on the table.
Under the excuse of 'bad law and order situation', the selection of handloom clusters was not made public.
Alleging that there were various irregularities in the implementation and a lack of insincerity in the selection of the clusters, they drew the attention of the Central authorities to their problems.