The North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) was launched by Union Textiles Minister Dr K S Rao at New Delhi yesterday during a meeting of senior representatives from all the North Eastern states, official sources said here today.

The broad objective of the NERTPS is to develop and modernize the textile sector in the region by providing government support in terms of raw material, seed banks, machinery, common facility centres, skill development, design and marketing support etc.

The NERTPS is an integrated scheme launched for the overall development of the handloom and handicrafts sector with components like Cluster Development, Technology Upgradation, Marketing Promotion and Skill Development.

To this effect, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has urged the Union Ministry of Textiles to allocate funds under the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS) for modernization of equipment and other infrastructure for the women weavers of the state.

Emphasising the fact that the new scheme was ideal for the women weavers of the state, Tuki during the meeting yesterday highlighted the fact that the women weavers of the state have been historically producing traditional garments which are rich in style and design.

The weavers are expert and capable of producing competitive products for the national as well as the international markets, Tuki said while seeking adequate support from the Central government.

The chief minister also stressed on the Skill Development component of the NERTPS so as to benefit local youths who can not only gain expertise through training and employment but also would later be in a position to take up entrepreneurial ventures in the sector.

By associating the skill development outlay of the scheme with the CM's Skill Development Mission it help benefit a sizable youth population in the coming years

Rao assured Tuki that he would provide adequate funds for not only training and employment, but also for the creation of physical infrastructure to cater to the needs of the youth of the state, sources said.