Kolkata, Oct 19 (KNN) Bengal’s handicraft and handloom makers are now able to live comfortably off their trades, said Mamata Banerjee led All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) adding that during the tenure of Left Front Government, State’s traditional handlooms and handicrafts were dying a slow death.

According to data from the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, in rural India, the largest distribution of handicraft establishments is in the State of Bengal, accounting for 17.83% of the total number in India. In urban India too, Bengal is high up the order, second only to Uttar Pradesh, with 14.1% of the total number of handicraft establishments, AITC said.

Combining rural and urban India, West Bengal is the number one in India, accounting for 16.3% of the handicraft establishments.

The party said that major role was played by the Biswa Bangla brand in promoting the traditional sector.

AITC said, Bengal’s handicraft and handloom makers are eager not only to continue their trades but also to pass on their skills to the next generation.

“This is a far cry from the time of the Left Front Government, during whose tenure, as a result of massive neglect, the State’s traditional handlooms and handicrafts were dying a slow death,” it added.