Berhampur (Orissa), Nov 3 (PTI) The Orissa government has urged the Centre to write off cooperative loans of weavers in the state in line with the farmer's loan-waiver scheme.

"We have written (to the Centre) seeking measures to write off the cooperative loans pending with the weavers in the state," handlooms and textile secretary Arati Ahuja said.

Over Rs 285 crore of loans taken from cooperative societies have to be paid by the weavers in the state.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also discussed the issue with the union government and has sought steps to write off the pending cooperative loans of the weavers, she said.

"If it is accepted, thousands of weavers in Orissa would be benefited. They had taken loans from 577 cooperative societies and an apex cooperative body," she said.