KTR called on weavers in Munugode to teach the BJP a lesson in the upcoming poll, accusing the BJP of pushing weavers into crisis with its “tough” measures.
Hyderabad,UPDATED: 17 Oct 2022 23:34 IST
KTR has described several progressive steps taken by the TRS government for the welfare of weavers.
By Apoorva Jayachandran : Listing the ‘tough’ measures taken by the Union government against handloom weavers, Telangana Minister of Handloom and Textiles and TRS Chairman KT Rama Rao on Monday called on the weaving community to teach BJP a lesson in the Munugode- by poll.
KTR claimed that Prime Minister Modi is the first Prime Minister in India’s history to have burdened weavers with heavy taxes, abolished insurance and social services intended for them.
“BJP has dissolved the All India Handlooms Board, All India Handicrafts Board and abolished the savings and insurance schemes for weavers. Also, the yarn subsidy to weavers has been reduced from 40% to 15%,” said KTR.
“GST on handlooms and textiles was raised from 5% to 12% by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Although Narendra Modi came to power on swadeshi sentiment, he is pushing the handloom sector into crisis,” KTR added.
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During a teleconference with Munugode handloom weavers, KTR outlined several progressive steps taken by the TRS government for the benefit of the community.
He said the TRS government has allocated a budget of Rs 1,200 crore per year for the welfare of the handloom sector, has provided a 40 percent subsidy on yarn and dyes through the ‘Chenetha Mithra’ scheme, Rs five lakh has introduced insurance coverage for handloom and loom workers through ‘Nethanna Ku Bhima’ and implementing the ‘Nethannaku Cheyutha’ scheme.
During COVID, the government of Telangana through ‘Nethannaku Cheyutha’ has sanctioned an amount of Rs 100 crore to weavers much before the due date. The scheme will continue in view of the benefit it has brought to the community, he added.
The minister said the TRS government has waived weaver loans amounting to Rs 1 lakh, which has benefited about 10,500 people. He also said that an integrated training, production and sales center in Narayanpet and a handloom park in Gadwal are being set up.
The Munugode bypoll will be held on November 3rd and the count will resume on November 6.
