The Khaira block of Balasore in Odisha will soon have a textile cluster, which targets to bring economic boom for the weavers who mostly depend on trade of handloom and handicraft products for a living.
Once the cluster is established, it is expected to help strengthen the working capital base of the primary weavers’ cooperative societies to develop modernised looms, accessories, training to weavers, marketing support and design innovations.
According to Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Textiles, a proposal for setting up a block-level cluster at Khaira in Balasore district has been approved under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP). As of now, India has three powerloom clusters at Erode in Tamil Nadu, Bhilwara in Rajasthan and Ichalkaranji in Maharashtra while 11 more powerloom, handloom and silk clusters are coming up in 10 States. According to the Orissa Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts department 72 clusters have been identified in the State for development of handloom.