*Efforts to get international branding for weavers products: CM Bommai*

Pragativahini News, Belagavi : Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said getting international branding for various products of weavers including Ilkal saree will help in increasing production as well as improving the economy. The government will take all necessary steps in this regard.

Speaking after being felicitated by the weavers in Suvarna Soudha Conference Hall for fulfilling their longstanding demands on Monday,  he said changes will be made in textile policy in the coming days. Karnataka has been a biggest exporter of textile in the country and the Ilkal saree is quite famous across the country. But it needs branding on a national level and for which agreement will be signed with online platforms like Amazon.

The CM said the Nekar Sanman scheme has been extended to those who work in the powerloom also and it will be the Sankrati gift for them. The subsidy being given to the professional weavers community has been increased from 30 per cent to 50 per cent. The occupancy certificate will be issued to those residing in Weavers Colony. Considering weaving at home as a cottage industry, concession will be given from Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. The weaving products are being bought under the Education Department’s Vidya Vikas scheme. From the next academic year, the education department will place the order for supplying the cloth required to stitch uniforms for the school children in the month of December. Depending upon the capacity of the Government Weavers Corporations, tender will be floated to supply the cloth for the remaining quantity.  It has been decided to buy 25 percent of the uniform requirement of various departments from Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation.

Bommai said weavers will be disbursed loan up to Rs 2 lakh with zero percent interest rate and also give 50 per cent concession in power charges and fixed charges for handloom and powerloom units on the lines of Tamil Nadu. Besides, those working in looms will be treated as unorganised labourers and extend all benefits accordingly.

He said the government is committed for the welfare of weavers as it is aware of health problems faced by weavers. A saree may be sold for Rs 50,000 but the profit will not come to weavers. Weaving is an art and the government will extend all help. The weavers have a history of hundreds of years and they fully supported it when the people decided to stop wearing the western cloth and use only swadeshi cloth. This profession has given the maximum number of jobs to youths when compared to other industries. The employment opportunities are abundant in the textile industry and it is very important to promote this sector in the interest of the country.