Thekruneituo Kire, Director Industries and Commerce inaugurating the training hall for skill up gradation under the Integrated Handloom Development Scheme (IHDS) at Toluvi village in Dimapur, on Wednesday, June 15. (Morung Photo)
Dimapur, June 15 (MExN): The Directorate of Industries and Commerce is disappointed at the performance of several self-help groups (SHG) in the State under the department. Thekruneituo Kire, Director Industries and Commerce while inaugurating the training for skill up gradation under the Integrated Handloom Development Scheme (IHDS) at Toluvi village in Dimapur today, said that the success rate of the SHGs is very low. He said the department has been closely inspecting the SHGs and the picture is very grim in spite of the assistance from the department. The department is implementing centrally sponsored schemes even in far flung areas like Pangsha, Noklak and Pungro, but there is very little output.
Speaking at the first official function after taking over as director of the department, Kire said that Nagaland is a special category State and receives ample assistance from the Centre but it cannot look for freebees forever. He said that Nagaland has nearly attained fifty years and it is high time that Nagas become self-dependent. He also reminded that schemes meant for the uplift of SHGs will not go on forever, and weavers must avail the opportunity during the implementation period.
Setting the tone for implementation of the programme, Kire further said that skill up gradation in handloom is imperative as weavers need to keep up with latest advancements. He said that although Naga motifs and design are unique, it has little market value and is not cost effective. He underscored that Naga weavers need to be better equipped with latest technologies to compete in the market. He urged the trainees not to take the training as a formality, but put earnest efforts to pick up the skills needed to develop the handloom sector in the state.
The department has introduced the ‘paddle loom,’ the latest technology from Rajasthan and the ‘jacquard machine’ to boost production of handloom in the state. Most of the handloom produced in the state is suitable only for producing plain clothes with very little design content. The department, therefore, felt that by introducing such machineries, production can be diversified and value added products can suit the market.
The IHDC was introduced in 2008-08 in the state and is meant to uplift poor weavers and also groom them for self management. Kahato Sumi, Joint Director Industries and Commerce informed that the scheme was first introduced in cluster development, under which 144 SHG and1440 weavers across the state are covered. While under the group approach, 126 SHGs and 1600 weavers are covered. However, Seam also expressed disappointment that only 30% to 40% of the SHGs are running successfully. He particularly mentioned that Kiphire, Mon, Wokha and Peren districts are underperforming.
The skill up gradation is purely for designing and paddle loom. Two master trainers from Rajasthan and two from Manipur will conduct the training batch wise for a period of three months. The first batch consists of 32 trainees from all districts except Kiphire, Wokha, Mon and Peren. The department has assured that after completion of training, machineries will be distributed to sincere and dedicated SHGs.
Speaking at the first official function after taking over as director of the department, Kire said that Nagaland is a special category State and receives ample assistance from the Centre but it cannot look for freebees forever. He said that Nagaland has nearly attained fifty years and it is high time that Nagas become self-dependent. He also reminded that schemes meant for the uplift of SHGs will not go on forever, and weavers must avail the opportunity during the implementation period.
Setting the tone for implementation of the programme, Kire further said that skill up gradation in handloom is imperative as weavers need to keep up with latest advancements. He said that although Naga motifs and design are unique, it has little market value and is not cost effective. He underscored that Naga weavers need to be better equipped with latest technologies to compete in the market. He urged the trainees not to take the training as a formality, but put earnest efforts to pick up the skills needed to develop the handloom sector in the state.
The department has introduced the ‘paddle loom,’ the latest technology from Rajasthan and the ‘jacquard machine’ to boost production of handloom in the state. Most of the handloom produced in the state is suitable only for producing plain clothes with very little design content. The department, therefore, felt that by introducing such machineries, production can be diversified and value added products can suit the market.
The IHDC was introduced in 2008-08 in the state and is meant to uplift poor weavers and also groom them for self management. Kahato Sumi, Joint Director Industries and Commerce informed that the scheme was first introduced in cluster development, under which 144 SHG and1440 weavers across the state are covered. While under the group approach, 126 SHGs and 1600 weavers are covered. However, Seam also expressed disappointment that only 30% to 40% of the SHGs are running successfully. He particularly mentioned that Kiphire, Mon, Wokha and Peren districts are underperforming.
The skill up gradation is purely for designing and paddle loom. Two master trainers from Rajasthan and two from Manipur will conduct the training batch wise for a period of three months. The first batch consists of 32 trainees from all districts except Kiphire, Wokha, Mon and Peren. The department has assured that after completion of training, machineries will be distributed to sincere and dedicated SHGs.
