Union Budget: Govt proposes service centres for weavers, mega clusters

The government today proposed to set up three Weavers Service Centres at Jharkhand, Mizoram and Nagaland to provide technical support to poor handloom weavers.

"I am also happy to announce Rs 500 crore pilot scheme in the 12th Plan for promotion and application of geo-textiles in the North East Region," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said while presenting Budget 2012-13.

The minister announced two more mega handloom clusters at Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand.

Already four mega handloom clusters are operationalized in the country.

"I also propose to provide assistance in setting up of dormitories for women workers in the five mega clusters relating to handloom, power loom and leather sectors," he said.

To address the need of local artisans and weavers, the government proposed to set up a powerloom mega cluster in Maharashtra with a Budget allocation of Rs 70 crore.