Textiles Min gives a leg up to SC weavers, artisans & entrepreneurs

New Delhi, Apr 14 (KNN) With a view to improving the conditions of weavers, artisans and others from the traditional textile industry, the Ministry of Textiles has proposed various measures for their welfare and development.

“The Ministry of Textiles proposes to give fresh impetus to measures for the welfare and development of weavers, artisans, jute workers, sericulture workers, entrepreneurs and others in the textile sector, belonging to the Scheduled Caste category,” an official release said on April-13

In this regard, a clear strategy and action plan have been formulated with a budget allocation of Rs. 167.5 crore for the current financial year, it said.

In the Powerloom Sector, SC Weavers will get a higher subsidy for Powerloom upgradation under modified Scheme.  “The Government of India will provide financial assistance to the extent of 75 per cent of the cost of upgradation, up to a maximum subsidy of Rs. 60,000 per loom, for attachment with rapier kit. The new scheme has come into effect, from April 1, 2016,” it said.

In addition, from now on there will be a premium-free group insurance scheme for powerloom workers.  Until now, SC weavers were required to pay Rs. 80 as his/her share of the premium, towards Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Workers while the government’s share was Rs. 290/- per weaver, and Rs. 100/- was paid from Social Security Fund of LIC.   The government has now decided to bear the weaver’s share completely, taking its share to Rs. 370/- per weaver, out of the total premium of Rs. 470/- per weaver.

As far as the jute sector is concerned, SC Jute Mill workers will now have better skilling, insurance and housing support.

National Jute Manufacturers Corporation (NJMC) has now decided to train about 75 per cent of its total manpower from the SC category.  Further, they will now receive additional subsidy for coverage of life insurance and accident insurance, by paying the premium under PMJJBY and PMSBY, it said.

In addition, SC workers in jute mills will now have better housing facilities; a scheme for housing shall be formulated, with 50 per cent subsidy being given by the Union Government.

In another move that will provide boost to the handloom sector, there has been a 144.2 per cent increase in allocation for welfare of SC weavers - from Rs. 16.38 crore in FY 2015-’16 to Rs. 40 crore in FY 2016-’17.

Further, it has been decided to focus on providing marketing support to SC weavers, to enable them to participate in various handloom marketing events. Arrangements will be made for their travel, lodging and boarding.

Further, it has been decided that block-level handloom clusters having at least 25 per cent weavers in the SC category will be given preference, while sanctioning Central Government financial assistance. A letter in this regard has also been sent to all states and union territories, on 8th March, 2016, it added.

The allocation for welfare of SC handicraft artisans has almost tripled.  The budget outlay for welfare of SC category artisans has been increased from Rs. 14.6 crore in FY 2015-’16 to Rs. 43 crore in FY 2016-’17.

The various welfare measures include: a higher stipend of Rs. 250 (from Rs. 150 earlier) to trainees undergoing training under HRD Scheme for Design and Technology Upgradation, a higher DA of Rs. 250 (from Rs. 150 earlier) and local conveyance allowance of Rs. 150 for participation in marketing activities, increase in freight allowance and free stall space at Dilli Haat.

The government has also announced a Special Scheme for SC beneficiaries in silk sector for FY 2016-‘17, at a total cost of Rs 24 crore.

The scheme covers all important beneficiary-oriented activities across the silk production chain, involving both Central Silk Board and Department of Sericulture for implementation.  The scheme will cover around 1000 SC families in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, J&K, Telengana and Andhra Pradesh.  (With PIB Inputs)