Indian ministry clears 51 Chhattisgarh handloom projects

The Indian textiles ministry has received 56 proposals during the last three to four years from the Chhattisgarh state government under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), out of which 51 were approved with a projected cost of ₹16.68 crore. Around 940 weavers in the state benefited under the Integrated Handloom Development Programme during 2016-17.

Under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), 8,500 persons were provided employment in Chhattisgarh's textile sector during the past eight years, an Indian daily reported quoting senior government officials.

Under the PMEGP, sponsored by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) of the central government, projects costing up to ₹25 lakh is sanctioned for setting up of cottage industry. The loan availed from the bank has to be returned over a period of seven years.

Around 119 cottage industry units were established in the state with an investment of ₹1.78 crore under PMEGP during 2015-16, according to the officials. The Chhattisgarh Khadi and Gramodhyog Board runs the project in Chhattisgarh.

The Chhattisgarh government has also established apparel training and designing centres in Bilaspur, Raipur, Bhilai and Rajnandgaon.