New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday gave its approval to the implementation of the Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme at Varanasi (UP) and Sibsagar (Assam) as a central sector plan scheme with a budget provision of Rs. 140 crore that is Rs. 70 crore for each cluster during the XI five year plan.

A budget provision of Rs. 140 crore that is Rs. 70 crore for each cluster during the XI Five Year Plan in order to meet the discerning and changing market demands both at domestic and at the international level and raise living standards of the weavers by improving the infrastructure facilities, with better storage facilities, technology up-gradation in pre-loom, on-loom, post-loom operations, weaving shed, skill up-gradation, design inputs, health facilities.

The approved scheme will support weavers, both in and outside the cooperative fold, including those in Self Help Groups (SHGs), Non Governmental Organisations
(NGOs).

The scheme will provide for development of all the facets of selected handloom clusters like raw material support, design inputs, up-gradation of technology, infrastructure development, marketing support, welfare of weavers.

The implementation of the scheme will benefit the weavers in developing, diversifying new designs and products, their skill upgradation, up-gradation of their looms, providing a suitable workplace, market support to improve their earnings and socio-economic conditions.

The scheme will be implemented through PPP model between Central, State Government, beneficiary weavers and their groups financially creditworthy and commercially linked marketing enterprises and the financial institutions for a period of five years beginning from 2008-09 up to 2012-13. (ANI)