Bhubaneswar: Handloom fabric sales in Odisha have crossed Rs 1,544 crore over the past five years, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta informed the state assembly on Wednesday. Handwoven sarees emerged as the top-selling handloom product during this period.
In a written reply to a question by Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous, the minister provided a detailed breakup of the sales under the Department of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts over the last five financial years:
- 2020–21: Rs 279.50 crore
- 2021–22: Rs 204.56 crore
- 2022–23: Rs 307.79 crore
- 2023–24: Rs 359.95 crore
- 2024–25: Rs 392.70 crore
Minister Samanta added that 475 Primary Weavers’ Cooperative Societies and four marketing organisations are currently operational across the state. During the current financial year 2025–26, sales have already reached Rs 29,424.64 lakh up to January 2026.
Highlighting measures to strengthen the handloom sector, the minister said major state sales organisations, including Boyanika and Resham Odisha in Bhubaneswar, and Sambalpuri Bastralaya in Bargarh, procure fabrics from local weavers and sell them through their outlets. Financial support is also extended to weavers and cooperative societies to participate in state-level and national exhibitions and expos.
To further boost sales, the government has approved a special 10% rebate on handloom fabric sales for 100 days during various festivals. Additionally, weavers receive skill development training and modern looms with accessories to increase the production of high-quality fabrics.
Under the state’s Handloom Development Scheme, 67 Raw Material Banks across Odisha supply yarn to weavers at a 15% subsidized price, helping sustain production and enhance weavers’ income.
