Challakere blankets to keep armymen warm

The Federation of Karnataka State Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Association has got orders to supply one lakh blankets, said its District Unit Secretary M Patolingappa.

The Federation has entered into an agreement with the Association of Corporations and Apex Societies of Handloom (ACASH) Delhi, to supply the blankets he said, adding that it would set up a blanket production unit at Goralkatte village in Challakere taluk soon, at an estimated cost of Rs one crore.

“We have promised ACASH a supply of at least one lakh blankets every year, out of the defence requirement of three lakh blankets,” Patolingappa said. ACASH would invest Rs 25 lakh, the Federation Rs 15 lakh and the State government would make up for the balance amount to set up the production unit.

It would also have a training centre and a warehouse. The order would help revive the handloom industry in the district, which has 40 handloom organisations, said Patolingappa
The district has about 15,000 weavers who are struggling to eke out a living, he said.