Bhubaneswar: The Special Handloom Expo-2022 was inaugurated today at Ekamra Haat here.

“As per the revised annual calendar approved by state Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha, the Special Expo is being organised by Sambalpuri Bastralaya on the occasion of Handloom Special under POHI-2022-23 funds to boost up the sales and provide regular employment to the weaver members of PWCS/SHGs,” a press release issued in this regard mentioned.

The Special Expo was inaugurated by Principal Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts department Arabinda Kumar Padhee. In the inaugural function, Director of Textiles and Handlooms, Odisha Shovan Krishna Sahoo, Special Secretary, HT&H Department Saroj Patel and managing director, Sambalpuri Bastralaya, Bargarh Sisir Kumar Nag including president Sambit Acharya were present.

The Special Handloom Expo will continue up to December 14, 2022. Around 34 stalls have been erected here in which exclusive women SHGs and PWCS of Bargarh, Cuttack, Sonepur, Athagarh, Baripada, Khurda, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Koraput and Boudh Zone including Sambalpuri Bastralaya will showcase and sale their products, the official communiqué further expressed.

The stalls were allotted to the participants free of cost. About 571 weavers and 876 handicrafts artisans participated in the fair, which is being jointly organised by the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts department, Information Officer Jyotirmati Samantaray said.

Prospective customers will get handloom products from all over the State at reasonable prices with 10%+20% government rebate. Buyers are requested to avail the opportunity, Jyotirmati added.