Respect for art and prosperity of artisans is our priority: Chief Minister Sai

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai- Photo credit-CG-PR

IN Short

*Silk and handicrafts will get a new market, focus will be on online sales and export

*There are immense employment opportunities in village industries, Chief Minister gave instructions to prepare a concrete strategy

*Chief Minister did an in-depth review of the works of the Village Industries Department

*Chief Minister’s instructions – Unity Mall should be constructed on time, focus on quality branding

Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said that a special strategy should be prepared to improve the lives of artisans traditionally associated with weaving, embroidery, handicrafts and clay art. He said that reviving the livelihood of people engaged in this work from generation to generation and increasing their income is the priority of the state government.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday July 1, 2025 holding a review meeting of the works and activities of the Village Industries Department at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan-Photo Credit-CG-PR

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday July 1, 2025 held a review meeting of the works and activities of the Village Industries Department at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan. During this, schemes were discussed in detail to encourage traditional artisans, weavers and products related to silk, handicrafts, khadi, handloom and clay art in the state and to improve their standard of living.

The Chief Minister took basic information related to all the components included under the Village Industries Department in the meeting and said that there are immense employment opportunities in these areas. He said that a concrete and coordinated action plan should be prepared for training, financial assistance, modern technology and marketing, so that permanent employment opportunities can be created.

Chief Minister Sai said that there is a need to give new heights to the tradition and efficiency of Chhattisgarh in the field of silk production, Kosa textile manufacturing and handloom. Chief Minister Sai said that the need for skilled artisans can be met through the Indian Handloom Technology Institute operating in the state. He also spoke about taking concrete steps towards the smooth functioning of the institute. CM Sai said that the amount allocated by the department for training should be fully utilised, so that the artisans can get quality training.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that Chhattisgarh has highly skilled artisans associated with traditional crafts and weaving, who have been preparing very beautiful and attractive artifacts and products for generations. People like these handmade items very much.

Chief Minister Sai directed that efforts should be made to take these products to the big markets of the state and the country. He also talked about taking the help of experts to actively explore the possibilities of sales and export on online platforms.

The Chief Minister said that the construction of Unity Mall should be completed on time and in a quality manner, so that the products of the state can get special place and branding and the traditional identity of Chhattisgarh can be strongly presented on the national and international platform. The Chief Minister directed that serious efforts should be made to promote silk production in the state. Production capacity and quality should be improved by using new technologies in this field, so that the silk industry gets strengthened and more and more people get employment from it. He said that we can enrich the lives of our traditional artisans and weavers only by respecting their art.

On this occasion, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Secretary Village Industries Shyam Dhavade, Managing Director Handicrafts and Clay Art Board J.P. Maurya along with departmental officers and employees were present.