The Rajasthan State Handloom Development Corporation (RSHDC) has helped upgrade the design and development skills of the cotton handloom textile sector, writes Elets News Network (ENN).
Rajasthan
State Handloom Development Corporation (RSHDC) was constituted way back
in 1984 to promote the cotton handloom textile sector. It plays a
pivotal role in skill upgradation, design & development and market
facilitation for traditional weavers and artisans of the state in modern
techniques related to textile and handloom manufacturing.
The primary activities, where RSHDC
is involved, includes design and arranging development workshops,
technical improvement programmes, participation in fairs and exports,
marketing and publicity and PR campaigns, buying directly from weavers
to encourage trade and selling handloom textiles.
The RSHDC is into apparel manufacturing
as well as wholesale of apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant
wholesalers. It is engaged in providing and exporting khadi, handloom
accessories, and other fabrics. Apart from five branches in Jaipur
itself, RSHDC has its presence in Udaipur and other areas across the
State.
The RSHDC has been granted permission by
the Union Ministry of Textiles to set up retail stores for selling of
India Handloom Brand (IHB) products across the India. Training material
for retail staff in all these outlets is to be provided by RSHDC. They
encourage using fast and safe colors, use of natural fibers, usage of
skin-friendly dyes and zero defect products. Consumers are discouraged
from asking for discounts on these products.
The RFC in collaboration with the RHDC
has worked out a scheme under which financial assistance has been
extended to 10,000 weavers, most of whom belong to Scheduled Caste.
Under this scheme, financial assistance is released in favour of the
RSHDC on behalf of assisted weavers for procurement of yarn and supply
to weavers on a regular basis round the year. The products made by the
weavers are lifted by the RHDC after payment of wages and a share under
the scheme.
The backward and forward linkages are
established and enable the weavers to remain employed round the year.
The recovery of RFC’s dues shall also be regularly made by the RSHDC
from the sale proceeds of the products made by the weavers. Handloom
products which are no longer competitive are often phased out and
greater attention given to commercially viable products meant both for
the domestic and foreign markets. An intensive HRD Programme will be
taken up by Rajasthan Handloom Development Corporation and the Rajasthan
Rajya Bunkar Sangh. Efforts will be made to ensure easy access to
adequate credit for weavers. Availability of yarn of requisite counts at
reasonable and stable prices will be facilitated. A mechanism has been
evolved to disseminate information on design and technical developments
on a continuing basis. Comprehensive marketing support and availability
of welfare measures for all handloom workers would be ensured. A
systematic effort will be made to ensure that benefits of various
schemes reach the weavers in an integrated manner.
The Rajasthan Handloom Development Corporation (RHDC) and the Rajasthan Rajya Bunkar Sangh
are weak and unable to play their role effectively. Hence, the State
Government supports measures to revitalise both of them. Given the
current status of this sector and the financial status of weavers, the
State Government provides Sales Tax exemption on handlooms and
accessories purchased by weavers.
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