Handloom & textiles secretary reviews Rayagada development; Proposes craft village for Dongria Kondh heritage
Dr.Badal Tah,Odishabarta
Rayagada, October 16: Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, Government of Odisha, concluded an extensive multi-block review tour across Rayagada district to assess ongoing developmental interventions, tribal welfare initiatives, and heritage preservation programs. During a high-level review meeting attended by District Collector Ashutosh Kulkarni and senior administrative leadership, the Commissioner highlighted Rayagada’s unique position in the state, noting that “the harmonious coexistence of heavy industry and indigenous handicrafts is a rare and powerful economic asset” that must be strategically leveraged for sustainable grassroots growth.
For strategic priorities & key outcomes of tribal crafts & artisan economy Guha proposed the establishment of a dedicated Craft Village celebrating the GI-tagged Dongria Kondh embroidered shawls (Kapdaganda) and Tumba (hollowed gourd) craft and to enhance commercial market linkage and capacity building for Black Dhokra metal casting artisans and to conduct feasibility analysis for developing local cotton processing and textile units to create localized employment. She recommended a structured market linkage and value-chain development for high-yield regional produce, including coffee, millets (mandia), marigold flowers, mangoes, and pineapples. Accelerated, transparent utilization of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds can be earmarked for upgrading residential tribal school hostels, nutrition standards, and sports infrastructure, modernizing rural healthcare facilities and Anganwadi centers, and enhancing piped drinking water delivery and sustainable tribal habitat schemes.
As a part of social reform, she suggested coordinated district-wide community campaigns to eradicate superstitious practices, including witch-hunting, paired with livelihood-linked skill training for youth. The review was attended by Additional District Magistrate (Revenue) Nihar Ranjan Kanhar, Zilla Parishad CDO-cum-EO Akshay Kumar Khemundu, Rayagada Sub-Collector Mrunalika Rathod, and departmental heads across agriculture, welfare, and industry.
