Govt eyes improvement of textile sector

SHILLONG, May 14: The Meghalaya government is making efforts to give a major fillip to the textile sector.
Textile Minister Paul Lyngdoh recently met Union Minister of State for Textiles, Darshana Vikram Jardosh to apprise the former about the issues requiring central support.
Talking to a section of reporters, Lyngdoh said that the Union MoS, who was on an official visit to the state, patiently heard the grievances.
According to him, one of the major issues is the Centre of Textiles complex project in Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi.
90 per cent of the project has been completed through central funding, Lyngdoh said, adding that, “What is left now is to prepare for the training of weavers and artisans which is a component of a central sponsored project. This is coming through and we have instructed department heads and district officers to accelerate the pace of the work.” He highlighted another concern which arises due to the fact that a number of weavers and artisans in Meghalaya still remain unidentified.
Underlining the importance of the textile sector, Lyngdoh said that the government wants to bring them in the loop so they can access different government schemes and programmes through the department.
He said that the Union minister assured him of undertaking a review once every three months.
He further said that the government is trying to cover more cooperative societies.
“We have found that some of the societies have not registered themselves and this is a hindrance. Otherwise they would have been able to avail the support, training and holding which they are eligible for,” Lyngdoh said.
Admitting that the state is still far behind as compared to others in this sector, the Cabinet minister said that the textile sector was considered as a minor department all this while.
He rued that no effort was being taken to promote the sector.
“But now we have been able to identify areas of weaknesses and work to convert them into strength,” Lyngdoh said.
He observed that states like Assam and Nagaland are doing better than Meghalaya because they are taking part in every national fair.
Assam and Nagaland have also ensured that their traditionally woven clothes are displayed everywhere, he added.
“As far as Meghalaya is concerned, we are yet to popularise locally woven clothes on such a scale. This is the task that is now before the department,” Lyngdoh remarked.