With 7 new handloom centres, traditional weavers of Varanasi to get govt support

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik, in the presence of Minister of State Textile (independent charge) Santosh Gangwar, today laid the foundation stone of seven Handloom Common Facility Centres here aimed at providing infrastructural support to the weavers at block level.

According to PTI, Naik recalled the laying of the foundation stone of Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum at Bada Lalpur here by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November last year, during the event at Kardhana in Sevapuri block here today.

“Work has commenced on this front, and that visible progress will be made soon. There is a need for the weavers to adapt their ways of working in accordance with the latest technologies and changing market demands,” Naik said.

Asserting that the Centre was committed to provide them benefit, Gangwar said if the delegations of weavers and their unions would suggest anything for their better development, the government would consider it.

The Union government was making all efforts that the weavers of Varanasi and its adjoining districts may not have to migrate to other places and these trade facilitation centres will help them earn better here itself, Gangwar said.

The CFCs, whose foundation stone was laid today, will provide godowns for storage of raw materials and finished products, an office with internet connectivity and accommodation for bulk buyers/designers, according to an official statement.

Also, facilities for training in design, dyeing and weaving would be provided among others at the CFCs, the statement added.

Meanwhile in the afternoon, Gangwar held an interaction with intellectuals and academicians at the Banaras Hindu University and also planted saplings at the site of Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum at Bada Lalpur here.

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