Textiles minister Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated a two-day long national workshop on ‘Promotion of Unique Textiles and Handicrafts Geographical Indication (GI) and Post-GI Initiatives’ being organised under the aegis of the ministry of textiles in New Delhi. Irani was also accompanied by state textile minister, Ajay Tamta.
The minister highlighted the importance of building consumer awareness on this matter, while addressing the inaugural session. The GI tag helps not only weavers and artisans, but also the consumers. The tag is an assurance of getting the right product at the right price, directly from the weaver/artisan.
She announced that a GI help-desk would soon be set up in every service centre run by the government for weavers and artisans. This would help bridge the information gap between centre and the field, and would assist weavers and artisans in availing the benefits of GI, Irani added.
The minister also launched a helpline for handicraft artisans; the helpline number is 1800-2084-800. Recalling that the problems of 6,707 weavers have been resolved so far through the Bunkar Mitra helpline for handloom weavers, she said that the Handloom Census has started, and that weavers will be given identity cards at the next National Handloom Day.
Irani also released a Compendium of Indian Handicrafts & Handlooms covered under GI, which has been compiled by NCDPD, on behalf of textile ministry. The compendium contains list and details of all 149 Indian Handicrafts & Handlooms covered under GI, till April 2017. The compendium also consists of the list of awardees of GI-tagged handicraft and handloom products. This is a unique and first-of-its-kind compilation.
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