Andhra Pradesh Handloom Workers Union urged the government to make a comprehensive legislation to protect the interests of weavers in the State. The Union which organised a Round Table conference here stated the law in support of the weavers was ineffective. Even though handloom sector was the second large employment provider and earned a name in the overseas market, the government neglected the industry.
Issues
Mr. Seshaiah, district secretary, who coordinated the meeting, said the reservation made in support of handloom sector was often violated and misused. Most of the weavers were leaving their looms and migrating to other sectors. Some of them were caught in the debt-trap of micro-finance companies.
The round table urged the authorities to conduct a comprehensive survey on the status of weavers and cooperative societies and private entrepreneurs.
Also, the economic and financial condition of families needs to be studied.
The meeting urged the government to separate handloom and textile sectors to avoid overlapping and diversion of benefits meant for handloom sector to textile sector.
The supply of yarn and chemicals at subsidised prices was emphasised.
The meeting requested the government to procure cloth needed for its use from the handloom sector.
The meeting demand sops like Antyodaya cards, and health cards. Assistant Director B. Manohar Raju, DM, APCO, Balabrahmam and others were present.
source: The Hindu
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