Hyderabad, Sept.9 (NSS): Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has announced that the State government will soon waive Rs 30 crore handloom loans taken by the weavers in Telangana.
“My government is giving equal priority to farmers and weavers . I will support the entire weaving community like a big brother,” he said.
The Chief Minister inaugurated Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) at Lalitha Kalathoranam here on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Revanth Reddy alleged that the previous government made a hype on the promotion of handlooms by taking up a campaign with movie stars, but the poor living conditions of the weavers remain unchanged.
“The last government also delayed in the release of dues for the payment of Batukamma sarees. But, the Congress released Rs 290 crores dues and gave a big relief to the distressed weaving community, including Sircilla workers without any politics,” the Chief Minister said.
Stating that 63 lakh Self Help Groups members are registered in Telangana, the Chief Minister said the State government has decided to distribute two sarees to each group member every year and instructions have already been given to the authorities to come out with good design and quality of sarees.
The State government has decided to give the order of manufacturing of 1.30 crore sarees to the weavers every year. Officials are instructed to prepare an action plan for the conduct of elections to Co-operative Unions (Samakya Sanghalu), Revanth Reddy disclosed.
He stated that the Skill University has already been opened to impart skill training to the students in Telangana and necessary steps will be taken to set up the IIHT campus in the Skill University next year.
“Election, selection and collection are not considered as sacrifices. Telangana movement leader Konda Laxman Bapuji sacrificed the posts to the cause of Telangana and he stood as role model for sacrifices,” Revanth Reddy said.
The Chief Minister further informed that the State government has decided to name the newly established IIHT after Konda Laxman Bapuji and instructions have been given to officials for the issuance of Government Orders (GO) in this regard.
Reminding that the Telangana students would have to go Odisha and Andhra Pradesh States to pursue studies in the IIHT there, he alleged that the previous BRS government had failed to establish Handloom technology institute in Telangana during the last 10 years.
“My government appealed to the Union government to take measures to establish the IIHT in Telangana soon after the issue brought to the notice of him. I have brought the matter to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Minister concerned to set up the institution in Telangana. The Centre has responded positively and approved the establishment of the institute. The officials have been instructed to start work for the establishment of the Handloom Technology institute this year itself,” Revanth Reddy disclosed.
