Banarasi saree weavers get assistance for enhancing sector

01 Oct '08

2 min read

The master weavers of the world renowned Banarsi sarees, will finally get aid from the Integrated Handloom Cluster Development Programme (IHCDP) which is a part of Textile Committee.

The wearers of Banaras come under the Varanasi Handloom Cluster which is a part of IHCDP. The authorities will provide all basic interventions and training to artisans that will enhance their skills.

The Ministry of Textiles had identified 20 handloom clusters in 2005-06 and Varanasi cluster is one of them. The reason behind formation of clusters was to provide proper support to the weavers for uplifting this potential sector.

The authorities have granted nearly Rs400 milliom for all these 20 clusters under this scheme. It will take care of each cluster, right from supply of raw materials, marketing strategy to innovation in patterns, utilization of modern techniques to welfare of the wearers.

Currently, almost 5,000 weavers from regions like Kotwa, Ramnagar and Lohta are being covered and the efforts are paying off as many established companies are giving orders in bulk. As a result of which the income of weavers has automatically increased.

Experts are of the opinion that in order to boost the sector, more experimentation and diversification of products should be done. Instead of artisans only weaving the typical traditional sarees, dress materials and home furnishing items should also be made for reaching wider range of customers and for earning more income.

Under this project many exhibitions and buyer-seller meets are also being organized, as it helps in increasing the sales and reaching diverse markets.

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