Centre committed to strengthen handloom sector: Irani

The Centre is committed to strengthening the handloom sector in the country which has a rich tradition, Union Minister for Textiles Smriti Irani said here Thursday.

Khadi had occupied a very important place during the freedom struggle, she said, speaking at 'Maggam Vastra show' held to promote handlooms of Telangana, an official release said.

"The minister said the Centre announced a Rs 6,000 crore package to the apparel segment to help in capacity building of the sector," it said.

She said the Centre has also announced a Rs 1,300 crore package for skill upgradation in the textiles sector. To improve a lot of underprivileged weavers, Irani said the government was facilitating the education of their children through National Open School and reimbursing 75 percent of their education fees.

The handlooms of Telangana like Pochampally, Gadwal, and Narayanpet are famous worldwide and they offer many possibilities in employment generation, she was quoted as saying by the release. Union Minister of State for MSMEs Giriraj Singh said handlooms must be patronized by people for the sector to pass on its rich legacy to future generations.