Textile Minister Santosh Gangwar today admitted in Rajya Sabha that jute products produced abroad are superior and said his ministry was working towards enhancing the quality of jute products in the country.
He said the government was working to involve the younger generation in handloom weaving and popularise jute products in the country.
"We agree that jute products produced outside are far better than in India. We are working on how better products on jute can be made in India and how jute can be diversified," he said in reply to questions.
He said the number of handloom weavers was going down.
"We are working on how to popularise this trade. The new generation is not wanting to take to handlom weaving. We are working to involve the younger generation in handloom weaving. We are making attempts to keep the weaving alive and ways and means are being evolved in this regard," he said.
He said Rs 105.70 crore has been released towards waiver of overdue loan/recapitalisation assistance to an apex handloom weavers corporation society, 554 primary weavers ccoperative societies and 47 self help groups and 1487 indivudial weavers of West Bengal during 2011-12 to 2013-14.
