Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has procured Rs 132.29 crore worth of products from weavers, artisans and craftsmen and created 11 lakh mandate during the pandemic.
This was known from a high level review meeting taken by chief secretary Asit Tripathy in Lokseba Bhawan conference hall Thursday wherein secretary textile handloom and handicraft Dr Subha Sharma presented the updates for discussion.
Available data show, during the covid period, the products of worth Rs132.29 crorehas been procured from weavers and craftsmen through different government sponsored marketing organizations. Out of this Boyanika has lifted products of worth Rs 25.96 crore, Sambalpuri Bastralaya has lifted the products of worth Rs 26.22 crore, Serifed lifted products of Rs 49 lakh, and, Utkalika has procured the products of worth Rs 2.06 crore. It was decided to procure more products of worth Rs 30 cr both from the craftsmen and wavers in coming months.
As another measure towards livelihood support activities during covid period, Government have extended a number of direct and indirect carry-ups to the weavers, craftsman and artisans as a measure toward livelihood support activities during Covid-19 period.
Reviewing activities of the department during the Covid period, chief secretary directed to create more livelihood opportunities through expansion of sericulture in the State. He said, “Since sericulture is a labour intensive activity and seri-cocoons have wider market demand, its expansion will create more employment opportunities for people”. Tripathy directed to scale up these activities in convergence with MGNRSGS.
Development commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra added, “Asana and Arjuna plants are the natural feed for sericulture. These are forest species and hence can be planted in forest areas. Mohapatra advised to take up more such plantation in convergence with forest and environment department.
Departmental secretary Dr Sharma appraised that around 11 lakh man-days were generated through sericulture activities within April to September of the current year and the workers were paid and around Rs.24.53 cr towards the wage. Besides, around 4400 people were provided direct employment in textile and apparel sector particularly through Shahi Exports and Aditya Birla groups. Out of them more than 87% were women. Around 1267 aged persons with at least 20 years of weaving were also provided financial assistance of Rs.500/- to Rs.800/- per month. Apart from these, wavers and artisans were also supported with work-shed, tools and equipment, credit linkage and raw material banks.
Available data show, during the covid period, the products of worth Rs.132.29 cr has been procured from weavers and craftsmen through different Government sponsored marketing organizations. Out of this Boyanika has lifted products of worth Rs.25.96 cr, Sambalpuri Bastralaya has lifted the products of worth Rs.26.22 cr, Serifed lifted products of Rs.0.49 cr, and, Utkalika has procured the products of worth Rs.2.06 cr. It was decided to procure more products of worth Rs. 30 cr both from the craftsmen and wavers in coming months.
Principal secretary panchayati raj and drinking water Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, special secretary textile, handloom and handicraft Srikant Prusty participated in the deliberations.
