PNS|Hyderabad
Textile Minister KT Rama Rao announced nine welfare initiatives on Monday at Manneguda for handloom weavers on the occasion of National Handloom Day. The government rolled out some new schemes and revised existing schemes to ensure the welfare of weavers.
KTR announced a slew of schemes like the ‘Telangana Chenetha Maggam’, ‘Nethannaku Health Card’, extension of Nethannaku Bima, revised ‘Chenetha Mithra’, and increased ex-gratia for TESCO members.
In addition, the Pochampally Handloom Park will be revived by the government. Before the celebrations, KTR laid foundation stones for a Handlooms Convention Centre and the Handloom and Handicraft Museum at Uppal Bhagayath.
The museum aims to preserve the history of handlooms, showcasing the tools utilized in this craft since ancient times, and ensuring that the legacy is passed on to future generations. The Handlooms Convention Centre is designed to host gatherings of handloom buyers and sellers, as well as conferences.
KTR said that under Telangana Chenetha Maggam Scheme, all existing pit looms will be replaced with frame looms. Using the budget of Rs 40.50 crore each loom will be replaced at a cost of Rs 38,000.
He said that health cards will be issued to weavers providing an annual coverage of Rs 25,000 and the existing Nethannaku Bima will be extended to weavers aged between 59 and 75 years by integrating it with the Nethannaku Cheyutha Scheme. KTR also announced that the ex-gratia amount for TESCO members would be increased from Rs 12,500 to Rs 25,000.
“Under the revised Chenetha Mithra scheme, Rs 3,000 will be directly deposited in the accounts of weavers. Earlier, a 50% subsidy was provided for the purchase of yarn, dyes, and chemicals. But workers said that not all of them benefited because of issues in uploading invoices and the condition to buy yarn through the NHDC or NHDC approved depots,” the Minister said. Addressing the issue, KTR announced that Rs 3,000 per month per loom will be directly deposited in the handloom workers’ bank accounts.
KTR and Minister V. Srinivas Goud presented the Konda Laxman Bapuji awards and handed over cheques connected to various welfare schemes to beneficiaries.
