Bhubaneswar, December 3: Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit Nene was given Rs 1.60 crore from the State exchequer for her engagement as brand ambassador of Odisha Handlooms. This was disclosed by Textiles & Handlooms Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta in the State Assembly on Wednesday.

“Internationally acclaimed Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit Nene has been appointed as the brand ambassador of Odisha Handlooms in 2025 to promote handlooms and support the State’s weavers at national and international levels. For this purpose, Rs 1.60 crore has been given to her from the State exchequer,” the Minister told the House in a written reply in response to a query of BJD MLA Arun Sahoo.

The Minister further informed the House that in addition to the financial commitment, arrangements have been made by the State Government to cover her airfare, accommodation and hospitality for her visits related to the assignment.

Notably, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced actress Madhuri Dixit Nene as the brand ambassador of Odisha Handlooms on August 7 on the occasion of National Handloom Day in Bhubaneswar in the presence of the veteran actress. She, along with the Chief Minister also graced the EKTA programme (Exhibition-cum-Knowledge Sharing for Textile Advantage) in Bhubaneswar to mark the celebrations.

There are close to 1.30 lakh weavers and helpers in 30 districts engaged in the handloom sector in the State.