PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday announced to set up handicraft village at Sanguem on an area of 16,000 sq mts. The project worth Rs 20 crore is expected to rejuvenate the craft sector with new ideas and technological advancements.
Speaking at the Off Farm Sector Producer Organisation (OFPO) for Kunbi handloom weaving in the capital city, Sawant said that the Centre has approved Rs 10 crore for the project while State will contribute another Rs 10 crore.
He said that the funding to the tune of Rs 50 lakh has been approved by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for the initiative, wherein Goa government plans to revive the two handloom centres at Korgao and Sanguem.
Sawant said that Kunbi saree should be promoted further and for that production should be increased. “We had only two centres in Korgao and Sanguem to weave the Kunbi sarees. These centres were sidelined for many years. But after I became Chief Minister I directed to revive the Kunbi saree,” he said.
Sawant said that the value of the Kunbi saree increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 and if it is further promoted then it could get a good price. “If we bring it in public as fashion and marketing is done in a well organised manner then its cost can go to Rs 5,000,” he said.
