SHILLONG: The Union Minister of State for Textiles (Independent charge), Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Friday announced the setting up of silk industry in the Northeast.
While addressing a gathering during the foundation stone laying ceremony for setting up the first ever Apparel & Garment Centre in the State at Ampati under North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), the Minister said that the Centre will set up silk industry in the entire Northeast at an estimated budget of Rs.30 crore out of which Rs.29.9 crore will be borne by the Centre.
As pert the proposal, the handloom clusters will be increased in collaboration with NIFT with 72 clusters in Meghalaya alone.
The Minister referred to Narendra Modi, who after taking charge as the Prime Minister had expressed his concern for Northeast region.
Gangwar stressed the importance of working towards the growth and development of the region and also mentioned that Bangladesh which is close to the state is also faring well in the textile industry globally.
Gangwar also said that with proper availability of land, the Government can work towards initiating textile industry in the region, adding that is a fruitful industry that can provide easy employment for anyone and provide an attractive form of employment for the people of Northeast.
“The Central Government is fully committed towards this project, he said expressing hope that it would provide employment for 1000 to 1500 people. “This is just the beginning of a prospective project and the Central Government is totally committed towards making this project a success”, he said while requesting the people to cooperate in the endeavour.
Parliamentary Secretary for PHE, Noverfield Marak, Chairperson, Meghalaya Resources & Employment Generation Council, Dikkanchi D.Shira, Joint Secretary, Union Textiles Ministry, Pushpa Subrahmanyam, South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh and hosts of officials from the State and Central governments were present on the occasion along with thousands of weavers, farmers and the public of the area.
