Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday said weavers have an important role to play in bolstering economic growth.

Sonowal, who inaugurated a handloom cluster project at Lezai in Upper Assam’s Dibrugah district, said the fact that weavers of the state are superior to their counterparts in the country will have to be shown through their performance.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi, who said weavers of Assam weave dreams in their looms, Sonowal said it was testimony of the superiority of handloom and textiles in the state. The output of weavers has to be enhanced by using the latest technology, he added.

The chief minister said the dignity of the Assam weavers got a shot in the arm when Prime Minister Narendra Modi sported gamosas on various occasions.

Sonowal said the women of the state need to show their supremacy by empowering themselves.

The state government will set up handloom cluster development centres in Sivasagar, Jorhat, Tinsukia, Golaghat and Lakhimpur districts at a cost of Rs 15.34 crore.

Sonowal also took part in public meeting at Moran and announced that six lakh farmers would be provided Rs 5,000 each to purchase farm equipment.

He also inaugurated projects for the development of National Highway 37 passing through Moran for Rs 13.5 crore, development of a children’s park near the Lions’ Club for Rs 30 lakh and laid the foundation stone for a bust of Siu-Ka-Pha for 10 lakh.

Earlier, the chief minister also visited Moran Blind School as part of Swachhta Hi Seva week celebrations. Sonowal interacted with the students and was also shown handmade products made by the students.

He was accompanied by school trustee and actor Victor Banerjee.

Union minister of state for food processing Rameswar Teli, MLAs Chakradhar Gogoi and Bimal Bora were also present.