Weavers to get permanent market and

employment via govt procurement

Minister Rakesh Sachan reviewed supply

of bedsheets and gauze bandages to hospitals, medical colleges and universities

Nodal officers will be nominated

for timely supply

Efforts to connect younger generation

of weavers with traditional occupation

Lucknow, 01 Sept (HS): The Yogi

government of the state is promoting the purchase of locally manufactured

handloom products in government institutions to encourage the handloom and

textile industry and to provide maximum employment opportunities to the weavers

of the state. In this sequence, a review meeting was held on Tuesday in room

number 80 of Vidhan Bhawan under the chairmanship of Khadi and Village

Industries, Silk, Handloom and Textiles Minister Rakesh Sachan regarding

ensuring the purchase and supply of bedsheets and gauze bandages used in the

Health Department and other government departments and government undertakings.

In the meeting, Minister Rakesh Sachan stated that providing a government

procurement market to the state's weavers is among the Yogi government's

priorities. Increasing the purchase of quality textiles produced by local

weavers by government institutions will provide employment and economic

strength to millions of weaver families in the state, and will also develop a

permanent market for textiles produced in the state.

It is noteworthy that on August 7, 2026, at the National Handloom Day

program organized by the Directorate of Handloom and Textile Industries, Uttar

Pradesh, at Lok Bhavan, Lucknow, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed to

ensure the purchase of bedsheets and gauze bandages, which are primarily used

in government departments and government undertakings, including the Health

Department. In compliance with the Chief Minister's instructions, the action

plan for this was discussed in detail in today's meeting.

The meeting was informed that approximately 2,13,107 weavers are employed in

the state. Various textiles, including bedsheets and gauze bandages, are being

produced by weavers in different regions of the state. Prioritizing these

products in government procurement will provide a wider market for their

products and will also help connect a new generation to the traditional weaving

business.

The review meeting discussed the proposed system, which would ensure the

supply of bedsheets, pillow covers, and gauze bandage cloth as needed to

government hospitals, medical colleges, and universities through the Uttar

Pradesh State Handloom Corporation Limited. For this purpose, quality

production will be secured from the state's weaver cooperatives and weavers. It

also considered developing a system for the relevant medical institutions to

issue demand and purchase orders in a timely manner, as per their needs.

Minister Rakesh Sachan, while placing special emphasis on product quality,

said that materials provided to government institutions should be of the

highest quality and meet prescribed standards. The meeting also discussed the

appointment of a nodal officer to ensure effective supply arrangements. The

nodal officer will coordinate with various hospitals, medical colleges, and

universities to obtain information regarding their needs, prescribed

specifications, and supplies and provide it to the department. This will help

ensure timely supply in accordance with demand.

Minister Rakesh Sachan stated that the Yogi government's objective in

purchasing reserved items for the handloom sector is not merely to complete the

government procurement process, but also to provide sustainable employment and

a market for the state's weaver families. He added that when weavers have a

guaranteed market for their products, the younger generation involved in

traditional weaving will also be attracted to this profession, and the state's

rich handloom tradition will gain new momentum.

He directed officials to quickly finalize the entire action plan in

accordance with the Chief Minister's instructions. A detailed standard

operating procedure should be developed, covering all aspects, including

product standards, quality testing, rate determination, receiving orders,

issuing purchase orders, payment, and timely delivery. He directed officials

from the relevant departments to work in coordination and finalize the

necessary details by next week. Principal Secretary

Handloom-Textile Industry Anil Sagar, Special Secretary Sheshmani Pandey, Joint

Commissioner P.C. Thakur along with officials of Health Department and

Handloom-Textile Industry Department and other concerned officials were present

in the meeting.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi