Union Education and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged MSME Minister Narayan Tatu Rane to set up a powerloom cluster in the city of Berhampur to help in the economic development of local weavers making famous silk sarees known as Berhamapuri Patta.
The community of weavers in Berhampur known as Dera are responsible for the Thakurani Yatra of Goddess Thakurani, the presiding deity of Berhampur. Union Minister Pradhan was urged by former State BJP Secretary Srikant Padhi to boost the saree patta weaving art.
He also added that patta is usually in high demand during the wedding season, festivals and thread ceremonies, drawing the attention of the Union Minister to the plight of the weavers in Ganjam district.
Srikant also wrote to Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal and Darshana Jordosh concerning this issue. He urged the Ministers for the establishment of a powerloom cluster which would fall under the purview of Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme and which would help in the survival of the weavers.
Rane has been urged by Pradhan to include in the cluster scheme, the weaver and artisans in the Ganjam district. Rane is asked to personally intervene in the matter and take the necessary actions needed.
