Odisha govt planning silver filigree hub in Cuttack

Reported by Santosh Jagdev

Bhubaneswar, July 27:

The Odisha Government is planning to establish an ultra-modern filigree hub in Cuttack under the scheme Assistance to States for Development of Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE).

The Textiles and Handlooms department of the state government has written to the district administration of Cuttack recently requesting it to provide a suitable piece of land for this purpose.

After getting the required land from the district administration, the infrastructural development and construction work of the filigree hub will be expedited, said Textiles and Handloom Minister Snehangini Chhuria in the State Assembly on Saturday.

Replying to a question, the Minister said the State Government is committed to the all-round development of the artists who are famous for their handicrafts and silver filigree crafts in state and outside of it. “To boost the filigree craft work of the artisans, the government has planned such project in Cuttack with facilities such as training centre, testing laboratory and sales outlet,” she said.

The minister also said according to a survey conducted in 2012, the number of silver filigree artisans in Cuttack totals 1216 whereas in Odisha it is 5995.