Recently a Seminar on ‘The Schemes and Initiatives of the Ministry of Textiles for decentralization of Power Looms Sector in Northeast Region’, was held at Shillong by the Regional Office of Textile Commissioner, Kolkata in association with the Indian Jute Industries’ Research association, NERC and PSC, Guwahati. The Seminar highlighted the schemes such as North east region textile promotion scheme, TUFS (Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme) and many others by the ministry. The seminar also stated about the subsidies that the government of India was giving in the powerloom sector. Mr V. K. Gupta , assistant Director, Ministry of textiles, government of India enlighted the audience that 60% of the entire budget of the Ministry was allocated to the TUFs since 1999. Dr K K Jhunjhunwala, Guest of Honour at the seminar highlighted the deficit in production and also stated that he people of northeast were more adept at excelling in this field then their mainland counterparts. Mr S. K. Vachung, Joint Director of Sericulture, Government of Meghalaya apprised the gathering of the power looms scenario in the state. He also stated that Meghalaya annually required 8.98 Cr meters of cloth per annum. As the production was low more and more power looms were required to meet the demand and also generate more employment in the state. Chief Guest V C Hajong, Director Sericulture and Weaving, Government of Meghalaya who was also the chief guest at the seminar spoke of the lack of interest in handloom sector. He stated that time had come for people of the state to look into the solutions provided by the ministry for their problems. He hoped that soon in the recent future Meghalaya would be the Manchester of India. He also introduced to the gathering Smti Anita kooch who was working with twenty five looms and had a desire to convert to power looms.

Many students and faculty of the National Institute of Fashion and Technology, Shillong were also present at the seminar. Many weavers and handloom artists from the state had gathered at the seminar. What is interesting today India is the world number 2 in yarn production with exports to countries like China, Brazil, EU and US. However these raw materials are value added and sent back to us in forms of apparels and garment. Powerloom industry can be one of the major source of not only meeting tour own demand but also making sure that our countries foreign reserves stay intact.

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