New Delhi, Nov 20 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Thursday gave its approval to the implementation of the Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme at Varanasi (UP) and Sibsagar (Assam) as a central sector plan scheme with a budget provision of Rs. 140 crore that is Rs. 70 crore for each cluster during the XI five year plan.

Varanasi, Nov 10 : Thousands of people offered special prayers in Varanasi on Sunday after the holy river Ganges got the status of country''s first national river.

Country''s Central government declared the river Ganges first national river on Tuesday with a separate authority to monitor its cleanliness.

Seers including head of the Jyotish and Dwaraka Pith Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand performed rituals amidst chanting of sacred hymns.

Swaroopanand expressed happiness over Government''s gesture, which would mean better and concerted efforts for cleaning the river battling pollution.

Varanasi, Nov 6 :Scores of handloom weavers took to streets on Thursday in Varanasi, famous for its world renowned Banarasi sarees, against the cheap quality Chinese imitation products flooding the market.

The Banarasi saree, named after Varanasi''s old name, Banaras, is the city''s most famous export item.

The Banarasi saree that became popular during the Mughal era, is a cottage industry for millions of people around Varanasi.

Varanasi, Nov. 5 : It appears the global meltdown being witnessed prominently in the financial markets is all set to devastate the famous Banarsi Saree industry, which is currently facing a tough time.

At one side the prepared saris are not getting sold off in abundance like before, on the other side the export orders appears to face a downward trend in near future.

The Silk industry, which was facing a tough time due to other factors, is likely to face a major jolt in the days to come leading to literal starvation of several people.

Varanasi, Oct 23 : Dozens including women were injured when Samajwadi party activists demonstrating against Mayawati Government clashed with police here today.

Police baton charged and used water canons to disperse the party workers who were staging a demonstration.

Samajwadi party, which was dislodged from power in the state by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) during last elections, has been accusing Mayawati as "anti development."

As per reports, police asked party workers to be calm as they were raising slogans against Mayawati as part of their three-day statewide campaign.

Varanasi, Oct 23 : Seers in Varanasi offer prayers to holy river Ganges and vow to cleanse it of all the pollutants.

Residents, environmentalists and religious groups, who have formed a ''Ganga Sena'' (Ganges Army-for protection) to save the River Ganga from pollution, took part in the prayers that marked the completion of the first phase of action against pollution.

The plan of action has been divided into three phases. To begin with, the devotees said that they have succeeded in convincing the authorities about the steps that are required to be taken.