Date:27/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/27/stories/2008072758430600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Wage hike for weavers under study

Staff Reporter

VIJAYAWADA: Announcing the Government’s decision to purchase huge stocks of handloom clothes for social welfare hostels, Minister for Rajiv Vidya Mission M. Hanumantha Rao on Saturday said plans were afoot to increase the wages of weavers working under APCO societies.

He was the chief guest at the inauguration of ‘APCO Sravana Mela,’ an exhibition-cum-sale of handlooms at APCO Bhavan here.

Mr. Rao said that the APCO was in a sorry state of affairs by the time the Congress was voted to power in the State. “Since the Government is committed to uplifting the lot of the farmers and weavers, the APCO is being revived in a phased manner.

From funding the societies to encouraging the sales, the Government is taking all possible steps to improve the living conditions of weavers,” he said. Mr. Rao said pension was being distributed to weavers from the age of 50 and rice to the tune of 25 kg per month was also being distributed to those who were unable to work.

“Priority is being given to weavers while sanctioning houses under Indiramma programme,” he said.

Referring to the wages, Mr. Rao said that there would not be any problem to revise the present wages