Report by OD bureau; Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minsiter Naveen Patnaik urged centre to sanction Mega Cluster Development Project under Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme.

CM Patnaik urged this in a letter to Union Textile Minister Anand Sharma. CM Patnaik said in his letter that, "Odisha is famous for its handloom weaving. The traditional tie dye designs of the State are unique due to the superb craftsmanship involved in translating the motifs on fabrics. The State has 43652 looms as per the last handloom census, conducted during 2009-10."

He further added that, "Though the Cluster Development Programme under Integrated Handloom Cluster Development Programme and Integrated Handloom Development Scheme are under implementation in 2 clusters and 35 mini—clusters respectively in the State, much remains to be done for a holistic development of this sector. To overcome the bottlenecks and to enable institutional development, it would be essential to intervene in a bigger, systematic manner."

He said that the districts of Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Sonepur and Boudh form a geographic cluster, with 2.5051 looms. The weavers of this area are highly skilled in weaving Ikat and Bomkai fabrics and are in clearly identifiable geographical locations.

CM Patnaik said that, "The project will be aimed at improving the infrastructure facilities, better storage facilities, technology up-gradation in pre-Ioom/on Ioom/post-Ioom operations, weaving sheds, skill up-gradation, design inputs, health insurance etc. which would eventually be able to meet the discerning and changing market demands both at the domestic and at the international level and raise living standards of the weavers engaged in the handloom activities. Government of India is implementing “Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme” (CHCDS) for holistic development of such mega clusters, which can effectively serve the interests of the cluster."

Patnaik in his letter to Sharma said that, "In the aforesaid circumstances, I would propose that Government of India may sanction a project under “Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme” (CHCDS) covering 25000 looms as a Mega Cluster Development Project for implementation in the districts of Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Sunélargarh, Boiangir, Sonepur and Boudh of Odisha."