Work has started for setting up an Integrated Textile Office Complex (ITOC) at Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Varanasi with Textiles Minister Santosh Gangwar laying the foundation stone on December 20, the Textiles Ministry said in a statement.
The proposed office complex will house all offices in Varanasi under the Textiles Ministry, which work for the welfare of weavers.Work has started for setting up an Integrated Textile Office Complex (ITOC) at Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Varanasi with Textiles#
Co-location of offices of various allied agencies under the Textiles Ministry in the proposed building will provide a common platform to all stakeholders, including weavers, exporters and marketing agencies. This will enable them to better reap the benefits of Government schemes and with less effort, resulting in saving of time and money. This will thereby contribute to higher productivity, income and better livelihoods for weavers, the statement said.
In addition, the ITOC in the IIHT campus will facilitate obtaining of necessary approval for starting the Degree course “B. Tech in Handloom & Textile Technology” at IIHT Varanasi campus on the lines of the course in IIHT Salem. This in itself will fulfil the long-felt need for such a course in this part of the country.
Furthermore, bringing a NIFT extension counter in the IIHT campus will not only catalyze the students' learning process, but will also bring in better synergy between their academic projects and the design related activities of Weavers Service Centre, resulting in value-addition to the weavers' products. The ITOC) is expected to be ready within two years at an estimated cost of Rs 64 crore.
According to the statement, the 5-floor building will house offices of IIHT, Weavers Service Centre, Central Silk Board, NITRA Powerloom Service Centre and NIFT extension centre. The building will also provide for educational facilities for IIHT, such as classrooms, laboratories and library; and common facilities such as auditorium, seminar hall, cafeteria, sports club, gymnasium and guest house. (SH)
Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India