Union textiles minister focuses on handloom protection and tech-led growth
Kolkata (PTI): Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday held discussions with weavers and officials in West Bengal, focusing on strengthening the handloom sector through policy support, technology integration and improved market access.
Beginning his visit at Shantipur in Nadia district, the minister interacted with weavers and handloom workers and said the sector would be protected from unfair competition by power looms, a statement said.
He also announced that school uniforms would be sourced exclusively from handwoven fabric.
Singh highlighted the significance of GI-tagged sarees such as Shantipuri, Baluchari and Tangail, and said proposed trade agreements with the United States and the European Union could open up wider export opportunities for Bengal's artisans.
Referring to the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Vikas Yojana, he said efforts were being made to strengthen marketing linkages, while the use of artificial intelligence-based quality sampling could help improve consistency and global competitiveness. The minister noted that West Bengal has nearly seven lakh weavers.
Later, Singh visited Barrackpore and met senior officials of the Central Research Institute for Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF), National Institute of Fashion Technology Extension and Training (NINFET) and Indian Jute Industries' Research Association (IJIRA) at the CRIJAF campus.
The discussions focused on adopting new technologies within traditional textile ecosystems to enhance productivity, quality and sustainability without diluting artisanal character.
Officials briefed the minister on ongoing research related to fibre innovation, design development and climate-resilient practices for handlooms and allied sectors.
Shantipur is among the country's oldest handloom centres, known for its fine cotton sarees, while the institutions in Barrackpore are engaged in research, training and innovation across jute, handloom and allied textile segments, the statement said.
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2 dead among 15 pulled out of debris as three-storey building collapses in Rajasthan's Kota
Jaipur (PTI): A total of 15 people were pulled out of the debris after a three-storey building collapsed in Rajasthan's Kota on Saturday night, of which two died, officials said on Sunday.
Eight of the injured are undergoing treatment, while five have been discharged after primary care, they said.
The deceased were identified as Aryan (20) and Lakshman (15).
"In total, 15 people were taken out of the debris. While two have died, some of the injured were discharged after treatment. A probe will be ordered to ascertain the facts, and action will follow,” Cabinet minister Heeralal Nagar told reporters.
Divisional Commissioner Anil Agarwal said some new construction work was going on in the neighbourhood, which might have caused the building collapse.
The incident occurred in the Talwandi area, where a restaurant was operating from the building.
According to the officials, some customers and employees were present in the eatery at the time of the collapse.
The rescue operation continued till late at night, the officials said.
