Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's emphasis on the revival of the handloom sector in Bengal has brought a major turnaround for Tantuja, which was struggling for existence during the Left Front government's rule in the state.



Diversification in products and designs to keep pace with the recent fashion trends have ensured profit for Tantuja and most importantly, the Puja season has been contributing more than 20 percent of the total annual sales.

"We have had a turnover of Rs 205 crore in the 2017-18 fiscal and a profit of Rs 10.26 crore. During the Puja this year, we have had a business of Rs 25 crore from our stores and another Rs 19 lakh through online sales. This is a clear indication that Tantuja's demand in the state has been reasonably high," a senior official of the state Textiles department said.

It was 2016 when Tantuja had tied up with a handful of e-commerce portals. In Puja 2017, Tantuja's online sale was Rs 10 crore and it went up to Rs 19 crore this year, which is Rs 9 crore more.

At present there are 84 stores of Tantuja across the state. The Puja sale in 2016 was Rs 14.5 crore, Rs 18.5 crore in 2017 and went up to Rs 25 crore this year.

Tantuja had suffered a loss of Rs 12.69 crore in 2010-11 – the last financial year of Left rule in the state. "In 2011-12, the very first year we assumed office, we made a profit of Rs 69 lakh," the official added.

Managing director of Tantuja Rabindranath Roy said: "We have gone for massive product diversification in terms of bringing in the latest designs in sarees and introduced

jackets, scarves etc. The prices of products are commensurate with the

design and people are getting their

money's worth. The showrooms across the state have also witnessed a major facelift."

The products are now purchased directly from the self-help groups and the weavers through camps in various parts of the state and payments are made directly to their bank accounts. "This has eliminated the role of middlemen and the designers are getting their due for their hard work," the official maintained.

It may be mentioned that Tantuja has also gone overseas through e-commerce. Recently, a designer saree that was made under special order has fetched around Rs 3 lakh for the single piece.