Meghalaya to get central govt help in textiles: Irani

Textiles Minister Smriti Irani recently said 30,000 people in Meghalaya will be trained under the ‘Samarth’ scheme for apparel, textiles and handloom. While laying the foundation stone of the Integrated Textiles Tourism complex at Nongpoh in Ri-Bhoi district, she said Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants 54,000 state craftspersons to get benefited.

The number of people to be skilled has been increased from the earlier figure of 7,200, as the central government is committed to supplement Meghalaya government’s endeavours for development in the textiles sector, she said.

Under the Samarth scheme 2018, the central government aims at provide skill development training programme to over 10 lakh youths. The complex and its activities are being funded by the Centre so that the art of Meghalaya prospers, a news agency report quoted the minister as saying.

Irani also visited the upcoming National Institute of Fashion Technology campus in Shillong and said the prime minister is likely to inaugurate it in November.