HP seeks early approval for schemes pending with Textile ministry

Industries Minister, Bikram Singh has urged the Union ministry of Textiles for early approvals and release of funds under various pending schemes.

The minister met Union minister, Smriti Irani in New Delhi on Thursday evening and apprised her that 21 projects for training and upgradation of skills of artisans and weavers were sent to the Ministry out of which only six projects worth 11.80 lakh had been sanctioned so far. He said that one proposal of Akhara bazaar of Kullu involving an amount of Rs 56 lakh for covering 96 weavers was also awaiting approval.

The Himachal minister added that 50 per cent amount for 49 technical programmes worth Rs 1.32 lakh were released and another 50 per cent amount under the programme was yet to be released.

He further said that a sum of Rs 2.02 crore under marketing proposals or claims of eight primary weavers societies for last three financial years were also pending.

The Industries minister requested the Union minister to sanction three more clusters for weavers of Mandi, Kullu and Kangra. Two clusters amounting to Rs 96.25 lakh each were sanctioned for weavers of the state.

Bikram Singh informed the minister that presently nine training centres in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Solan, Mandi and Bilaspur districts were being run by State
Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation after availing a central assistance of 1.32 crores for providing training to 360 handicrafts artisans in hand knotting embroidery, metal crafts, shawl weaving, leather craft, wood craft and weaving embroidery.

Source: https://www.thestatesman.com/cities/hp-seeks-early-approval-schemes-pending-textile-ministry-1502621889.html