Govt. to help weavers face WTO agreement: Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, OCT. 13. The Government is making all-out efforts to prepare weavers in the light of the WTO agreement on textiles which will come into force by 2005.

Accordingly primary weavers would be trained in modern technology and marketing methods improved, the Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, Mr. P. Bhoomanna, said here on Saturday. Talking to newsmen after inaugurating the `Chenetha Uppena,' an exhibition- cum-sale of the A.P. Handlooms at Laxmi Gardens in Lakidikapul, he asserted: "The Government is ready to spent any amount of money to help primary weavers."

Handlooms from different parts of the State, including Narayanpet, Venkatagiri, Peddapuram, Gadwal and Kothakota, with a wide range of sarees, silks, cottons and other material are exhibited. The exhibition would be open till October 23, including on holidays.

Mr. Bhoomanna said weavers who were not part of cooperative societies would also be given financial assistance under the Centre's `Deendayal Hatkar' scheme with the State Government's contributing 50 per cent. Already, Rs. 7.5 crores was released. Stating that powerloom weavers did not get much encouragement over the years, he said the Government had come out with a reduced power tariff of 87 paise per unit for them.

The Minister said the APCO's turnover was Rs. 15 crores and a profit of Rs. 24 lakhs this year. There was a heavy demand for handloom clothes and the cooperatives were not able to meet the target, he noted. A special discount of 20 per cent was given on APCO products. The National Institute of Fashion Technology was provided Rs. 4 crores for improving the designs of the weavers, he added.

The Industries Secretary, Mr. B.P. Acharya, and the Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles, Mr. Sameer Sharma, were present.

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Section  : Southern States
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