Lucknow,

April 9 (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that weavers are not only the

bearers of tradition but also a strong pillar of the state's economy.

Therefore, ensuring their income, dignity, and livelihood stability is a top

priority for the state government. He said that weavers currently face

challenges such as rising raw material costs, a lack of design and modern

technology, and limited market access. These problems cannot be addressed

solely through planned assistance, but rather through the development of a

robust and coordinated system. The Chief Minister directed the development of a

new, result-oriented, cluster-based action plan in this direction.

Chief

Minister Yogi was informed by officials at a review meeting of the Handloom

Department on Thursday that approximately 1.99 lakh weavers are employed in the

state. Uttar Pradesh ranks sixth in the country in this sector. The state is a

leader in the production of carpets, rugs and mats, while the state also has a

strong presence in products like bedsheets, furnishings and blankets. The

country's total handloom exports in the year 2024-25 stood at Rs 1178.93 crore,

in which Uttar Pradesh's contribution was Rs 109.40 crore (about 9.27 percent).

The

Chief Minister directed that clusters be identified in weaver-dominated areas

and developed there to integrate production, quality, and marketing. He

clarified that these clusters should not be limited to production alone, but

should develop into a complete value chain, where design, branding, packaging,

and market access are ensured within a single framework.

The

meeting discussed in detail aspects such as cluster selection, baseline

surveys, preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs), effective

implementation, and ongoing monitoring. The Chief Minister called for a limited

number of weavers within each cluster to be organized and developed into

registered units, promoting collective production and marketing. Furthermore,

these clusters should be integrated with modern technology, advanced equipment,

and skills training to improve the quality and competitiveness of their

products.

Emphasizing

the need to strengthen design and marketing, the Chief Minister stated that

product success is possible only if it meets market demand. He directed the

effective implementation of institutional mechanisms such as

Designer-cum-Marketing Executive and Design

House/Sourcing-Buying Agency/Export House. This will ensure improved

product quality, access to larger markets, and increased weavers' income. The

Chief Minister urged special attention to the expansion of digital platforms,

e-commerce, and branding to connect weavers directly with consumers.

During

the meeting, the Chief Minister also highlighted the need for greater efforts

to reduce the electricity bills of powerloom weavers. On the Chief Minister's

instructions, the Handloom Department and the Power Corporation will jointly

develop an action plan in this regard. The Chief Minister emphasized the

promotion of solar energy, saying this would reduce weavers' electricity costs

and provide them long-term relief. He directed the development of an effective

action plan in this direction.

The

Chief Minister said that Uttar Pradesh's weaver community is a vital pillar of

the state's rich tradition, employment, and economy. Therefore, a balanced,

transparent, and practical policy should be formulated that provides real

relief to weavers, revitalizes the industry, and strengthens the state's

traditional weaving industry. Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises

and Khadi, Rakesh Sachan, along with departmental officials, were present at the

meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi