SHILLONG: Handloom weavers from multiple villages under the Umling C&RD Block have received long-awaited clarity regarding benefits under the CM Elevate scheme, following the intervention of Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem.
The breakthrough came after a high-level meeting convened by the MLA, bringing together officials from the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) and the Department of Textiles to address delays that had left several applications pending since 2024.
Speaking after the meeting, Syiem revealed that the backlog was primarily due to technical complications that hindered processing. While the CM Elevate scheme had progressed smoothly in other regions, weavers in Umling—particularly those engaged in Eri silk production—had been awaiting support for over 18 months. He confirmed that these issues have now been resolved through direct coordination with the Director of Textiles and MBMA officials.
The meeting also provided clarity on the financial assistance package. Each selected beneficiary will receive support amounting to ₹78,000. Of this, ₹15,000 will be provided as a loan, repayable over a seven-year period, with a one-year moratorium to allow weavers time to stabilise their operations. Beneficiaries are also required to contribute five percent of the total project cost.
In terms of implementation, the government has assured that working capital will be credited directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts within the next three months. Additionally, around 250 weavers are expected to receive essential equipment, including frame looms, within the same timeframe.
Beyond the CM Elevate scheme, the Department of Sericulture and Handloom continues to roll out supplementary support measures across Ri-Bhoi district. These include the distribution of weaving tools and the construction of work sheds aimed at strengthening the handloom sector and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for artisans.
The development brings relief to weavers in Umling, who had been grappling with uncertainty, and signals a renewed push to support traditional livelihoods in Meghalaya’s rural economy.
