52/2026-2027

Dated Aizawl, the 4th of May, 2026: Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, today visited the Mizoram Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (ZOHANDCO) Office at Chaltlang. He was accompanied by Shri Lalthansanga, Minister of Sericulture, Govt. of Mizoram.

ZOHANDCO organized an exhibition in honour of the Union Minister of Textiles, wherein the Minister inspected various Mizo textiles and handicraft products on display. The Union Minister also held a brief interaction session with the weavers and artisans.

Shri Giriraj Singh stated that Mizoram is rich in Muga silk—often regarded as rare and of high quality—and expressed his desire for the State to be known as the “Golden State.” He further expressed confidence that, by 2035, Mizoram would be able to produce more than 1,000 metric tonnes of silk, and assured that the Central Government would not hesitate to provide financial support for the continued growth of farmers, weavers, and artisans. Emphasizing the importance of women’s empowerment, he urged women weavers to avail themselves of the benefits under the Lakhpati Didi scheme. Under this scheme, financial assistance of up to ₹5 lakh is currently available, with plans to enhance it to ₹10 lakh.

The Union Minister further stated that he had come to Mizoram along with senior officials from the Ministry of Textiles not merely on a routine visit, but with the intention of supporting the continued growth and development of Mizoram's Sericulture Department, advancing the welfare of farmers, artisans and weavers, and promoting the overall welfare of the people of Mizoram.

Mizoram's Sericulture Minister, Shri Lalthansanga, also expressed his gratitude to Union Textiles Minister Shri Giriraj Singh and the Central Government. He thanked the Union Minister for his dedication and for accomplishing a great deal of work for Mizoram during his short two-day visit. Shri Lalthansanga further stated that Mizoram would make every possible effort to ensure continued progress.

Shri S. Bandyopadhyay, Zonal Director (Eastern Zone), Weavers’ Service Centre, highlighted various initiatives undertaken by the Centre and stated that the ‘market-led model’, a pilot project currently being implemented in Guwahati, is proposed to be introduced in Mizoram as well. Under this model, the Weavers’ Service Centre organizes training programmes and simultaneously assists trainees in securing employment. Prior to the commencement of training, market demand and product viability studies are carried out, and the training is aligned accordingly. In addition to this, marketing avenues are established immediately so that products made by the trainees are sold even during the training period. He further stated that efforts are being made to enable trainees graduating from WSC to earn at least ₹5 lakh per annum. 

At today’s programme, Shri Giriraj Singh distributed SAMARTH Training Certificates, E-Pehchan Cards, Yarn Passbooks and Artisan ID Cards to weavers and artisans, and a Certificate of Appreciation of Workshed, Frame Loom & Lighting Unit was presented to Pi Lalramthangi.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri H.K. Baro, Regional Director, Handicrafts Service Centre.

The Union Minister was accompanied by Shri Yogendra Singh, IAS, PS to HMoT; APS Shri Jai Krishna; Smt. Vrunda Manohar Desai, IRS, Textile Commissioner(Ministry of Textiles); Shri P. Siva Kumar, IFS, Member Secretary of CSB; Smt. Florence Zotluangpuii, MCS, Secretary to the Govt. of Mizoram, Sericulture Department; Shri Lalrinawma, Director, Sericulture Department, Govt. of Mizoram; and other officials and dignitaries.