Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday asked the handloom department to prepare a new, cluster-based action plan to address rising costs of raw material, provide a better market to weavers and help them modernise their designs.“Weavers are not just carriers of tradition but also a strong pillar of the state’s economy. Therefore, ensuring their income, dignity and livelihood stability is a priority for govt,” said the CM during the review of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Powerloom scheme.“Weaver-dominated areas should be identified and developed into clusters to integrate production, quality and marketing,” he said.Highlighting the issues that the weaving community is facing, the CM said that these problems cannot be solved through just schemes but require a robust and coordinated system.UP has around 1.99 lakh active weavers, while UP ranks sixth in the country in the weaving sector.The state is a leader in the production of carpets, durries and mats, and also has a strong presence in products such as bedsheets, furnishings and blankets.In 2024-25, India’s total handloom exports stood at Rs 1,178.93 crore, of which UP contributed Rs 109.40 crore, or approximately 9.27%.The CM said that clusters should not be limited to production, but each should have a clearly identified value chain where design, branding, packaging and market access are tied up within a single framework.“A limited number of weavers should be organised into registered units within each cluster to promote collective production and marketing. These clusters should also be linked with modern technology, advanced tools and skill training to enhance product quality and competitiveness,” the CM added.To improve product quality and expand market access, the CM also asked for an effective implementation of institutional mechanisms such as designer and marketing executives, design houses, sourcing and buying agencies, and export houses.He also outlined the need to expand digital platforms, e-commerce and branding to connect weavers directly with consumers.The meeting also saw a discussion on efforts needed to reduce electricity bills for powerloom weavers.The handloom department and the power corporation will jointly prepare an action plan in this regard. Discussions also focused on the need to promote solar energy, as that will reduce electricity costs for weavers and provide them with long-term relief.
