Varanasi: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday assured the exporters, sellers and prominent entrepreneurs of the carpet industry that the Uttar Pradesh govt will develop Sant Ravidas Nagar, Mirzapur and Varanasi as a dedicated silk cluster, while the Varanasi-Vindhya Regional Development Plan will also be implemented soon.
Another trader, Imtiyaz Ahmed, said that entrepreneurs have benefited greatly from the ODOP scheme. Piyush Kumar Barnwal, a participant, said India is number one in handmade carpets. He said that the weavers, who have kept alive the legacy of their ancestors deserve appreciation. Adarsh Purnima, another participant, said the India Carpet Expo was earlier held in Delhi and that holding it in Bhadohi was once beyond imagination. “Today, such a large fair is being organised in our own district, and the chief minister has attended it for the second consecutive time to encourage the carpet industry,” she said. She said a large number of women entrepreneurs and workers are associated with the carpet industry, but the existing structure of the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) has not adequately brought women into its fold. “There should be a provision to increase women’s participation in the sector and boost their morale,” she said. On this, CM Yogi said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to empower women.
Entrepreneurs raised issues related to a separate policy for the carpet industry, business requirements and the participation of women entrepreneurs. Carpet businessman Anil Kumar from Mirzapur appreciated the Yogi govt’s work, improved connectivity but he also raised issues concerning the ancient city of Mirzapur and its carpet business. If the govt formulates a policy for the carpet industry along similar lines, it will further benefit the business and create new employment opportunities. Since carpet production takes considerable time, the industry should be treated somewhat differently from the manufacturing category, and a policy should be formulated keeping its requirements in mind. CM Yogi listened to them one by one and assured them that the govt would take cognisance of the issues raised. He assured them that the government would certainly take cognisance of this suggestion. Women will no longer remain dependent only on the government or its assurances, but will also make laws for themselves. He asked CEPC to ensure the participation of women entrepreneurs and reserve seats for them.