10-day Crafts Bazaar opens in city

CHANDIGARH, Jan 29: The Union Textile Ministry has set a handicrafts export target of Rs 8,000 crore for 1997-98, the Director of the Develo...

CHANDIGARH, Jan 29: The Union Textile Ministry has set a handicrafts export target of Rs 8,000 crore for 1997-98, the Director of the Development Commission (Handicrafts) Northern Region said here today.

Talking to mediapersons, A.R.Chaudary said even the handicrafts producedin the unorganised sector earned Foreign Exchange worth Rs 5,660 crore during 1996-97. He said that the Ministry was committed to the promotion of handicrafts and welfare of craftspersons.

Apart from organising crafts bazaars, other incentives and training would be imparted to the artisans.

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Chaudhary said, keeping in mind the consumer demand, the Directorate was trying for diversification in the sector. India had 5,000 different crafts and the Directorate was arranging markets for these through exhibitions and crafts bazaars.

About 150 craftspersons from all over the country havee gathered in the city here for a 10 day crafts bazaar.The Bazaar was inaugurated by Gian Chand Gupta- the mayor. The craftsperson also had a grouse.They were not satisfied with the sales tax as it constituted 8 to 10 percent of their material.