Our Correspondent / New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that government was strengthening the logistic support for the benefit of carpet exporters.

Addressing the Carpet Expo at Varanasi through video conferencing last evening, Mr Modi said, the Centre was working expeditiously on providing showrooms and godown facilities to carpet manufacturers. He said, the government is also providing technological and other support to ensure quality products.

carpet-turkishThe Prime Minister appreciated the skills of the carpet makers which, he said, turned the “Made in India carpet” a big brand. He said, India is the biggest producer of carpets today with about 35 per cent of the global market share. Mr Modi also spoke of the impressive export performance of the carpet industry sector.

The Prime Minister also asserted that steps have been taken to assist weavers and people involved in handicrafts. He said, thousands of weavers are taking benefits from the nine common service centres in Varanasi.

Mr Modi said, the government is taking several initiatives so that weavers do not face any financial problem.

Speaking on the occasion, Textiles Minister Smriti Irani urged labourers working in the carpet industry to help fulfill the Prime Minister’s dream of achieving an educated India by ensuring that their children receive higher education.

She said, the government has made arrangements to provide 75 per cent fees for the education of children of poor artisans, who can avail the benefits by enrolling themselves in National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).