A state level non-Khadi Co-operative Societies' Federation in Challakere of Chitradurga district in the state of Karnataka has been formed by the woolen handloom weavers of Chitradurga and few districts of northern Karnataka.
A study tour to woolen blanket manufacturing units of Ludhiana, Amritsar and Panipat in Northern India had been arranged during 2006 and 2007 for around 13 weavers.
Woolen items manufactured in these units were supplied to the military, railways, police, hospitals and hostels through `Akash' marketing agency. However as per rules, the district-level federations could not become the members of this agency.
The Chitradurga Zila Parishad has allocated the fund of Rs.1.5 million, under Suvarna Grama Swarojgara Yojna (SGSY), to set up a blanket production unit, which will also include a new godown for storing raw materials.