Member of parliament Mrs. Pratibha Singh called on Union Textile Minister Dr. K. S. Rao in Udyog Bhawan at New Delhi.
Mrs. Pratibha Singh demanded opening of Indian Institute of Handloom Technology in Kullu district of the state to meet the growing demand of latest design, technology and skilled manpower in handloom and handicraft sector in the state. She told that Kullu, Chamba, Shimla and Kinnaur are famous for shawls, caps and other woolen products which has great demand in India as well as abroad. She requested the union government to open up a centre of excellence in handloom technology sector in the state so as to modernize the sector and produce world quality products in the region, also to open new marketing venues at national and international market of Himachal handloom and handicraft sector. She requested for opening of weaving service centres in Chamba, Rampur , Kalpa and Keylong to assist and train the local artisans for skill development .
Mrs. Pratibha Singh demanded that popular Himachali woolen products designs like kullu shawls should be included in the syllabus of National Institute of Fashion Technology so as to popularise it at national level and make new innovations and research on the topic for further improvement to create it as exclusive brand at international market.
She also requested the union textile minister Dr. K. S. Rao to sanction two more integrated textile parks for the state to be set up in Una and Kangra districts and told that state government has already sent detailed proposal to the union textile ministry in this regard and assured him that state government will provide land, infrastructure and facilities for setting up the park and provide speedy clearances under single window scheme. She told that the mother unit of M/S Himachal Textile Park Limited has started functioning and two additional units will start working during the current financial year. She told that direct employment to around 2200 youths will be provided under the textile park and told that so far around 500 persons have been provided employment in the mother unit.
Union textile minister Dr. K. S. Rao told that the ministry will send high level team to assess the implementation of various schemes of the ministry in the state and will provide all assistance to the state government.