Overview
- Giriraj Singh met weavers in Shantipur and officials at Barrackpore’s CRIJAF campus to discuss technology-led upgrades and stronger market links in a state with nearly seven lakh weavers.
- He said the handloom sector would be protected from unfair competition by power looms.
- He announced that school uniforms would be sourced exclusively from handwoven fabric, with timelines and rollout details yet to be specified.
- Officials tied the commitments to Union Budget 2026 measures, including the Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme for cluster modernisation and capital support.
- The outreach highlighted GI-tagged sarees from Bengal and potential export openings via proposed US and EU trade deals, with institutes briefing him on AI-based quality checks, fibre innovation and climate-resilient practices.