India: Himachal Pradesh demands Institute of Handloom Technology

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India: Himachal Pradesh demands Institute of Handloom Technology

Member of Parliament (MP) Pratibha Singh has set out a long list of demands in front of the Union Textiles Minister K S Rao. In a recent meeting with the Union minister, she sought opening of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology in Kullu district. She also requested the setting up of a Centre of Excellence in Handloom Technology in the state, to modernize the sector, which has the capacity to produce world quality products for the international market.

Another of her demands is the opening of weaving service centers in Chamba, Rampur, Kalpa and Keylong to assist and train the local artisans. And that popular Himachal wool products and designs like kullu shawls should be included in the syllabus of the National Institute of Fashion Technology to help bring in design and product innovation and research. According to her, Himachal Pradesh is known for its shawls, caps and other woolen products, across India and abroad, and Himachal handlooms need to have a brand value.

She also requested Rao to sanction two more integrated textile parks in Una and Kangra districts. The mother unit of M/S Himachal Textile Park Limited has started functioning and two additional units will begin operations during the current financial year. Direct employment to around 2,200 youths will be provided in the textile park and so far around 500 people have been employed in the mother unit, she told the minister.

The Union Textile Minister has assured all assistance to the state’s handloom sector, after studying the progress of the various textile related schemes there.