Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates Weavers’ Convention in Lakhimpur

LAKHIMPUR: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday inaugurated the Weavers’ Convention in the playground of North Lakhimpur Government Boys’ HS School. The Weavers’ Convention has been organized by the Directorate of Handloom and Textile Department and weavers of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Majuli and Biswanath districts are participating in this convention.

State Handloom and Textile Minister Ranjit Dutta sketched the activities and present scenario of his department. He said that the department had chalked out various plans for the benefit of 40,00,000 weavers working in the integrated and non-integrated sectors of the State. As a part of such plans, two model villages under his department, one at Teliapathar in Moran LAC, another at Sitadar in Majuli LAC will be established.

Around 27 yarn banks will be set up in different parts of the State where the poor weavers can purchase yarn at 20 per cent less than the market price. Mobile yarn selling units will be formed under the patronage of the department in every district, said Dutta. Each of the 400 Bowa Kata Samabai Samitis, out of 4,161in the State, will be given a financial aid of Rs. 25,000 in the first phrase. Similarly, Rs 5,00,000 will be given to one 20-member SHG in each of the LACs of the State for the enhancement of productivity in handloom sector. Each of the trainees under the Handloom and Textile Department will also be given an aid of Rs. 25,000 for self-employment.

Four more of such conventions will be held in the State by January in order to create awareness among the weavers about various schemes. The minister stressed market orientation plans too in order to sell the products of the weavers. The distribution of aid to the skilled weavers of the four districts and Bowa Kata Samabai Samitis was ceremonially inaugurated in the event.

Earlier, Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner Dr. Jeevan B delivered the welcome address while Chief Secretary of Handloom and Textile Department, Hemanta Narzary explained the objectives of the event. Former Deputy Mayor of Guwahati Municipal Corporation, Bijuli Kalita Medhi and Lakhimpur MP Pradan Baruah also delivered lectures. State Panchayat and Rural Development and Cultural Affairs minister Naba Kumar Doley highlighted the developmental schemes taken up by his departments.