Union Textiles Minister Kavuru Sambasiva Rao today assured Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma of Central assistance in weaving and sericulture fields which could improve the declining cottage industry in the state.
The assurance was made during the maiden visit of Rao to the state to lay the foundation stone for the National Institute of Fashion Technology complex here in the New Shillong Township, about six km away from the state capital.
"I promised him (CM) of anything (that he sought help for) from the Ministry will be done without any loss of time and I will see to it that it is done in the coming two to three weeks," Rao told reporters after the foundation stone laying ceremony.
Meghalaya Chief Minister had earlier briefed the Union Minister on the job opportunities for the educated unemployed youths in the villages in the state in the field of sericulture, weaving and apparels.
According to the chief minister, under the new flagship programme of the state government, the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Programmes, the government aims at partnering with farmers to improve the conditions of the weavers.
The Textiles minister informed that the Centre has sanctioned about Rs 490 crore as loan waivers for the weavers all over the country.
He said another Rs 500 crore will be provided to the debt-ridden weavers and the Centre is committed to this.
