Jamshedpur, Feb. 10: The state government has unveiled plans of establishing Jharkcraft, a corporation to boost the sericulture, handloom and handicraft sectors in the state.

The proposed corporation will promote and market items made by state weavers and artisans to ensure they receive an appropriate pricing on their products.

The government also envisages the state silk, handloom and handicrafts being sold through various outlets across the country through the organisation.

Highly-placed sources in the industry department said chief minister Arjun Munda has given his nod for establishing Jharkcraft, which will function under the ministry of industries. Munda is in charge of the department.

Industries secretary Santosh Kumar Satpathy said the corporation will start functioning by the beginning of the next fiscal.

?The nitty-gritty has been decided and Jharkcraft will take shape as soon as the cabinet approves the proposal.?

The industries department will make an initial investment of about Rs 10 crore to float the organisation, a source said. It will have a ?lean manpower? to maintain low establishment costs and will have its headquarters in Ranchi, he added.

?The government does not want to see Jharkcraft meet the fate as other corporations, which had to be jettisoned for financial constraints. We want this outfit to generate profit so that it does not become dependent on the government and is able to garner its own resources. A few appointments will be made on a contract basis and staff from other departments will also be asked to work for the corporation,? the source said.

Jharkcraft would also safeguard the interests of manufacturers, who, at present, are endangered by the middlemen and outsiders, who exploit the weavers and artisans and appropriate their profits.

?The corporation will buy wares from weavers and artisans at the appropriate costs and sell them at competitive prices. This will ensure that weavers and artisans get their dues and Jharkcraft makes a profit as a well. The corporation will strengthen the supply-chain management of the industry,? department officials commented.

According to insiders, Jharkcraft will also open outlets across the country for marketing the products.

?Jharkcraft will enter into agreements with private parties in other cities to market products made by our weavers and artisans. Jharkcraft will also have its own outlets in some select cities,? the source said. Overseas outlets are also a possibility, he added.

The proposed organisation follows the government?s decision to set up a silk training institute at Kharsawan with the help of National Institute of Fashion Technology to impart training to local weavers. Another similar institute at Sahibganj is also being planned.