Union minister promises higher incomes, handloom push at Shantipur weavers’ meet

Union textile minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday promised a series of measures to boost the income and business prospects of weavers and handloom workers in poll-bound West Bengal, asserting that their daily earnings would see a sharp rise if the BJP comes to power in the state.

Addressing a large gathering of weavers and textile artisans at Shantipur in Nadia district, Singh said the Centre would work to expand markets for Bengal’s handloom products and ensure greater financial security for those engaged in the sector.

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The programme was organised by the BJP’s weavers and textile workers’ cell, led by state convener Anil Biswas. State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya and local MP Jagannath Sarkar were also present.

Singh alleged that institutions like Tantuj, which were set up to promote cottage and handloom-based textiles, had failed in their core objective under the present state government.

He claimed that machine-made fabrics and garments sourced from Bangladesh were now dominating such outlets.

Singh said that if a BJP government is formed in West Bengal, Tantuj would exclusively promote hand-woven products.

He also announced that school uniforms supplied to students in the state would be made only from handloom fabric.

Interacting with the weavers, Singh asked about their average daily earnings, to which the response was around Rs 200.

When told that they aspired to earn at least Rs 500 a day, the minister said he was committing to ensuring opportunities for daily earnings of up to Rs 1,500.

He added that efforts would be made to create direct markets for Bengal’s textiles in the US and Europe.

After the programme, Singh had lunch at the residence of a local weaver. Anil Biswas claimed that if the minister’s announcements are implemented, around seven lakh weavers and textile workers across the state would benefit.