India:Poor response to handloom mark scheme in Salem district

The Handloom Mark Scheme introduced by the Central Government has received poor response from weavers in Salem district.

The district has over 28,000 private weavers. But only about 250 weavers have registered under the scheme till January 2009. Forty three handloom co-operative societies have also registered.
Labels

The Salem office of the Textile Committee, implementing agency for the scheme, sold 90,600 labels. Of them, co-operative societies purchased a large number of labels.

The Government of India has introduced it with the objective of helping buyers distinguish between genuine items crafted by handloom weavers and poor imitations. It also aims to promote handloom products in domestic and international markets, enhance the international marketing linkages and improve price realisation.

The major reason for the poor response to the scheme was lack of awareness among weavers, handloom officials point out.
Benefits

“Weavers are yet to realise the long-term benefits of the scheme. Many consumers in the domestic market are not insisting on handloom mark while purchasing,” officials say.

Industrial sources insist on more awareness programmes for weavers and consumers about the handloom mark. This will help promote handloom products and enhance the livelihood of the weavers.

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Source: hindu.com