Realising the need for a proactive approach to augment the export potential of the handloom and handicraft industry and keep it in a state of preparedness to meet the global challenges in the post-WTO world, the Centre has brought 28 products, including Pochampally saree, Mysore Silk, Coimbatore wet grinder and Nanjagunda banana under the Geographical Indication Act, minister of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh told reporters here on Saturday.
�Our aim is to give thrust to our local industry and protect it from the Chinese onslaught. We are bringing in branding to prevent copying. Tea, coffee and spices are also being brought under the GI Act but basmati has been left out as it produced by both India and Pakistan. In fact, India and Pakistan will jointly register basmati under GI Act in US and Europe,� he said.
The minister said replantations were needed in tea, coffee and spices sectors and the government has sanctioned Rs 4700 crore spread over next 15 years to this effect. Pointing that the handloom sector played a vital role to the country�s economy by providing direct employment to over 65 lakh persons engaged in weaving and allied activities, he said the government has initiated various development schemes to bring the sector out of the sunset phase.
�The industry is a torch bearer of our culture and heritage and the government has initiated new handloom package to prevent the extinction of our heritage. Cluster development of handloom will be developed at a cost of Rs 50 crore,� he said.
Technology Upgradation Funds of Rs 15 crore spread over next five year will see that the pit looms are converted into jacquard looms. Apart from this the government is also looking to bring in a handloom mark for handloom products, Ramesh said, adding NABARD is also working on a financial package to clean up the Weavers co-operatives through rural credits.
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