Lucknow, 26 Aug (HS): A cabinet meeting chaired by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took a major decision for the economic upliftment and self-reliance of the state's weavers. The cabinet meeting formally approved the detailed guidelines for the Chief Minister Handloom Weavers' Prosperity Scheme. The main objective of this scheme is to make the products of the handloom weavers of the state world class and to significantly increase their income by connecting them with the global market.

Key features of the scheme:

Group and Cluster Formation: Under the scheme, clusters will be formed by forming handloom weavers into groups of 25 or more persons.

Financial assistance: A handloom cluster will be provided financial assistance up to a maximum of Rs. 2.5 crore under various heads over 3 years.

Duration and Budget of the Scheme: The target is to benefit about 150 handloom weaver clusters of the state in the next 5 years, which will cost an estimated Rs. 388 crore.

Major items of assistance: Financial assistance will be provided mainly for supply of handlooms and accessories, workshop construction, design development, training of master weavers and weavers, product development, exposure visits and promotion of textiles.

Marketing and Branding: Weavers will receive access to cutting-edge designers, high-quality training, and infrastructure. They will also be connected with buying and sourcing houses to ensure their finished products reach domestic and international markets.

Exit Strategy: After providing full financial support to the cluster for three years, arrangements have been made to make it self-sufficient in a phased manner over the next two years. This Cabinet decision will revitalize the state's traditional weaving industry and provide employment and better income opportunities to thousands of families.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi