New Delhi, Dec 3 (KNN)  To conserve the cultural heritage skills of handloom weaving and to protect the sector from competition from powerloom and mill-made textiles, the government has set up handloom design centres across the country.

As many as 25 handloom design centres which have been redesignated as Weavers’ Service Centres (WSCs) are currently functioning in different parts of the country, their activities expanded to also cover other aspects of development of the handloom textiles. 

The centres are spread across four zones, namely, East Zone, South Zone, North Zone and South Zone and West Zone.  While the East Zone has six WSCs, the South and North have seven each, leaving the West Zone with five WSCs.

Product development is among the primary functions of WSCs to evolve more marketable products by interaction between experts available in the fields of weaving, designing and processing.

They are also involved in improving weaving techniques and accessories and appliances used in weaving.

All centres are equipped with design section, weaving section, dyeing and printing section, photography section and administration section.  

Further, computer aided textile design systems have been installed at every centre. (KNN/ES)