Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Silk Expo 2024 in Indiranagar. On this occasion, he shared his views on the progress and prospects of the state. He said that the progress of Uttar Pradesh may be satisfactory, but it cannot be called sufficient considering the huge potential of the state.
Significant increase in demand for Banarasi sarees
CM Yogi said that the textile industry is an important means of generating employment as well as increasing the income of farmers. He stressed the need to encourage the silk industry and said that the Silk Expo can prove to be an important step in this direction.
The Chief Minister informed that the Central Government has taken steps towards developing silk clusters in Varanasi, Bhadohi, Azamgarh and Mubarakpur and other districts. He said that after the construction of Kashidham, there has been a significant increase in the demand for Banarasi sarees. Pradhan Mantri Mitra Textile Park is also going to be developed in 1,000 acres, but for this we will have to prepare the raw material ourselves.
Strong possibilities of production of all types of silk in the state
Yogi, while referring to the diversity of climate zones of Uttar Pradesh, said that there are strong possibilities of production of all types of silk in the state. He said that if cheap raw material is available in the state for other silk products including Banarasi saree, then it will lead to big development in the industry. The government will support industrialists at every step from production to marketing and designing.
The Chief Minister also praised the success of the ‘One District, One Product’ (ODOP) scheme. He said that UP is the first state in the country to formulate a new policy for its traditional products. Under this, more than 75 products have got GI tag.
Scheme to identify farmers as ‘Silk Friends’
Commenting on the neglect of previous governments, Yogi said that earlier the traditional products of UP had to face neglect, but now the specific products of different districts are strengthening the identity of UP on the global platform. The Chief Minister also mentioned the plan to identify farmers as ‘Silk Mitra’ and said that the government will provide all possible assistance in this direction.
Emphasizing the need to develop silk clusters and adopt modern technology, he said that the silk industry will have to move from traditional techniques to modern processing techniques. Yogi expressed confidence that the PM Mitra Park will play an important role in furthering the prospects of the state’s silk industry.
