Second High-Level Task Force (HLTF) meeting on promotion of Handloom and Handicrafts in the North Eastern Region (NER) was convened today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Pu Neiphiu Rio. The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) participated via video conferencing, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to unlock the region’s creative and economic potential.
The meeting was attended by Chief Ministers and senior officials from Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, and other northeastern states, along with representatives from the Ministry of Textiles and the DoNER Ministry. The session focused on a whole-of-government approach to strengthen handloom and handicraft initiatives through product identification, cluster-based development, market linkages, Common Facility Centers, roadmap development, and gap analysis with public-private participation.
The Union Minister called for collaborative pilot projects involving all eight northeastern states and stressed the importance of forming state-level working groups with active participation from the Ministry of Textiles. A phased strategy was proposed, including one-year, three-year, and five-year plans, beginning with the identification of at least one iconic handloom and one handicraft product per state, followed by promotion of each state’s unique offerings.
State representatives shared key challenges and solutions during the discussion. Mizoram emphasized the need for strengthened collaboration with stakeholders, Assam highlighted marketing constraints, and Manipur pointed out limited raw material availability, high transportation costs, and restricted access to global markets for artisans. Officials stressed digital literacy, skill development, and logistical support as critical for fostering sustainable growth in the sector.
The meeting concluded with a roadmap for implementing pilot projects by November-December 2025, marking a decisive step towards revitalizing the handloom and handicrafts ecosystem in the Northeast and enhancing economic opportunities for artisans.
