Preparations Underway for Major Handloom Weavers Conference in Telangana
A preparatory meeting called “Chenetha Padugu Pekala Atmiya Sammelanam” is being held across Telangana to gear up for a significant handloom weavers’ conference on December 10, 2024. The event aims to address the challenges faced by the handloom sector and push for major welfare initiatives.
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Demand for a Handloom Weavers Welfare Board
Vanam Shanti Kumar, President of the Telangana Handloom Workers Association, has called for the creation of a Handloom Weavers Welfare Board with a ₹1,000 crore budget. He pointed out that past policy decisions, such as the dismantling of key schemes like the Handloom and Textiles Board and Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Yojana, have adversely affected the handloom industry.
Additionally, he criticized the implementation of GST, which has harmed the industry by imposing taxes on handloom products that were previously exempt under earlier governments. Kumar also highlighted the dwindling budget allocations for the sector, contrasting the ₹2,000 crore allocated by the UPA government in 2013-14 with the current government’s reduced budget of ₹200 crore.
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Challenges Facing Handloom Artisans
The situation for handloom artisans in Telangana is dire. Many weavers are struggling with unemployment, poverty, and a lack of support, leading to cases of starvation and even suicides. Kumar emphasized that the survival of these artisans, who carry forward the cultural heritage of the country, is under threat.
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Proposed Solutions and Call for Unity
To address these challenges, Kumar presented a list of demands, urging all handloom workers to unite and take collective action. The key measures proposed include:
– Reinstating the schemes abolished by the central government.
– Establishing a welfare board with a ₹1,000 crore fund.
– Providing ₹5 lakh investment assistance to every handloom worker.
– Reviving the “Triptha Pattu” scheme.
– Continuing cash transfers under the yarn and dye subsidy scheme.
– Offering housing-cum-work sheds for homeless weavers.
– Introducing a comprehensive health insurance scheme for artisans.
– Waiving existing handloom loans.
– Ensuring procurement of unsold handloom textiles through TESCO and releasing pending funds.
– Conducting elections for handloom cooperative societies, which have been delayed for 11 years.
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Neglect of Cooperative Societies
The meeting also addressed the negligence of handloom cooperative societies, which are being run by personal in-charges instead of democratically elected boards. Resolutions were passed to demand immediate action to strengthen these societies and ensure proper procurement of handloom textiles.
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Prominent Participants and Discussions
The meeting witnessed participation from key figures in the handloom sector, including:
– Dr. PGK Venkateshwara Rao (National Committee Member, All India Weavers Federation)
– Karre Basavaraj (President, Himavartini Cooperative Society)
– Ganji Murali Dhar (General Secretary, Telangana Handloom Workers Association)
– Musham Narahari (State Secretary)
– Varkala Chandrasekhar (State Leader)
– M. Satyanarayana (Manager, Aija Handloom Cooperative Society)
– K. Veeresh (Director, Eklaspur Society)
– M. Raghu, K. Veeranna, and several other weavers.
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A Call to Action
Concluding the meeting, Vanam Shanti Kumar emphasized the need for unity and persistence among handloom workers to overcome these challenges. He expressed hope that collective efforts and determination would pave the way for a brighter future for the handloom industry.
