Hyderabad: Higher outlay sought for handloom sector

Warasiguda: Weavers United Front chairman Das Suresh has demanded that the state government allocate Rs 500 crore for handloom sector and Rs 1,000 crore for jute sectors in the upcoming budget.

Speaking to media, Das Suresh asked the state government to release a white paper on how the it spent budget allocations of Rs 1,250 crore and Rs 1,253 crore in last two years respectively. He urged the government to fulfil its promise of starting Kakatiya Mega Textile Park at the earliest. He also reminded it of its promise to provide Rs 5 lakh insurance to weavers.

Referring to the AP government's scheme of providing Rs 24,000 input subsidy to weavers, he challenged the Telangana government to implement such a scheme if it genuinely cared for the welfare of the community. Other demands include provision of market facilities to weavers, establishment of weavers' welfare fund and revival of health cards and implementation of central government schemes related handloom sector in the state.

Handloom Weavers Joint Action Committee Hyderabad convener Bomma Narender, Telangana state co-convener Ankam Murali, Lok Satta party leader PR Srinivas, women president of Handloom weavers Bonam Urmila and others were present.