The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Special package sought for handloom weavers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 27, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Special package sought for handloom weavers

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JULY 26. P. Ranganayakulu (TDP) made a fervent appeal in the Assembly on Monday for a special package - on the lines of the one for farmers in distress -- for handloom weavers, who, he said, were facing a crisis.

Participating in a debate on the demands of welfare ministries, he said the crisis in the handloom sector was next only to that facing agriculture, with about 70 lakh persons depending on it. He criticised the Congress manifesto for making "tall" promises and failing to honour them after the party was voted to power. This was evident in the budget, which failed to allocate more funds to the handloom sector than the TDP regime.

Six lakh houses

Mr. Ranganayakulu wanted the Government to rethink the decision to cancel three lakh houses for weaker sections by the TDP Government. He demanded to know how the Government proposed to honour its promise of building six lakh houses.

While hailing the benefits to BCs under the Adarana scheme, he wanted the budget allocations for BC welfare revised to provide more funds for student scholarships. Mr. Ranganayakulu found fault with the Government for rushing through the GO on reservations for Muslims "knowing that it would be challenged in court and struck down."

Funds demanded

for old city

Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri (MIM) complained about insufficient allocation in the budget for the welfare of Muslims. He demanded a constitutional body for implementing Urdu as the second official language and sought more funds for old city's development. Mr. Quadri wanted officials to inspect safety aspects in school buildings in the light of the fire accident at Kumbakonam. He criticised the AP Wakf Board for what he called its failure to check encroachments on its properties.

G. Kishan Reddy (BJP) and others participated in the debate.

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Andhra Pradesh