Govt likely to exempt weavers? loans: Vaghela

UNION MINISTER for Textiles Shankersinh Vaghela said that the Union government was considering giving exemption of Rs 1000 crore accumulated loans to the poor weavers in the country. The government also contemplated to introduce Gandhi Hut Fairs in each district of the country to promote traditional products of handicrafts prepared by weavers.

UNION MINISTER for Textiles Shankersinh Vaghela said that the Union government was considering giving exemption of Rs 1000 crore accumulated loans to the poor weavers in the country. The government also contemplated to introduce Gandhi Hut Fairs in each district of the country to promote traditional products of handicrafts prepared by weavers.

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Talking to mediapersons in an informal chat here on Saturday after inaugurating India Carpet Expo, the minister said the proposal for exempting the loans of weavers was under the consideration of Union government. The government was fully conscious about welfare of weavers. It also aimed at high quality and price control of carpet industry, he said.

The government was planning to set up training centres in around 20 to 25 cities for the weavers associated with the industry of Banarsi saree. The weavers through these centres would undergo practical training of saree making with processing, designing and raw material, he said.

Expressing concern over the acquisition of fertile land of farmers in the name of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in different states, the minister said the state governments had been urged to acquire industrial land for the purpose, instead of fertile land.

Prior to it, the minister, inaugurated the three-day exhibition of India Carpet Expo, displaying fine hand knotted tufted carpets and floor coverings by the exporters from different parts of country and abroad. The function has been organised by the Carpet Export Promotion Council of India at Hotel Taj Ganges .

It would end on Monday evening.