Shimla: Shri Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister disclosed here today that H.P. Handicraft and Handloom Corporation earned an annual income of Rs. 1349.32 lakh during 2010-11 against Rs. 1038.41 lakh income during 2009-10. He said that State Government was making efforts to promote income generating activities in order to strengthen the Corporation. He was addressing the 153rd meeting of Board of Directors of the Corporation here today.

Shri Kapoor said that three handloom clusters were sanctioned one each for Tissa, Janjheli and Jwali at a cost of Rs. 135 lakhs and added that 350 weavers would be benefitted through each cluster. He said that a project worth Rs. 14.48 lakh for skill upgradation and training in Chamba Rumal and Leather Crafts had been sanctioned by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. He said that Rs. 7.20 lakh have been sanctioned for conducting training workshops in Chamba Rumal, Leather, Metal, Embroidered Cloth Crafts.

A meeting of Board of Directors of General Industries Corporation was also held under the Chairmanship of Shri Kishan Kapoor, Industries Minister today. He directed the officers to adopt innovative methods to increase the income of the Corporation.

Ms. Harinder Hira, Additional Chief Secretary urged the officers to bring qualitative improvement in the products besides fulfilling the demands of the markets.

Shri Lalit Mohan, Managing Director, H.P. Handicraft and Handloom Corporation, Shri T.C. Janartha, Managing Director, General Industries Corporation, Shri Subhashish Panda, Special Secretary, Finance, Shri J.S. Rana, Director, Industries and other senior officers of the Corporations were present in th meeting.