The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Efforts on to revive handloom sector

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Efforts on to revive handloom sector

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 28. The Minister for Finance, K.Rosaiah, has said that the Government has initiated a series of steps to bail out the crisis-ridden handloom sector by reviving APCO and exuded confidence that the sales of APCO would touch Rs. 100 crores this year.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr. Rosaiah, who is also the chairman of the committee to study the problems of the handloom sector, said that the Government had initiated a series of remedial measures. About 1.74 lakh handloom weavers have been identified in the State of which 1.71 lakh workers were issued identity cards. The remaining weavers could not be identified as they migrated to other States in search of employment.

Artisan credit cards

The Government is keen to provide assistance to weavers by issuing artisan credit cards. About 30,000 weavers would be covered under the scheme, he said, adding that 12,000 have been identified and all of them would be provided financial assistance as Rs. 75 crores earmarked for this purpose.

The Government is determined to revive the activities of APCO by providing cash credit to the tune of Rs. 50 crores. As part of restructuring of APCO, the Centre and State Governments plan to provide funds on 50:50 ratio. The Centre and State Government released Rs. 20 crores each as part of the agreement. Additional funds of Rs. 10 crores have been earmarked for APCO to step up production.

Exhibitions planned

He said the Government intends to hold big exhibitions of handloom products in the State so that the sales of APCO increase. He said the Government had made a plea to the Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, to direct the railways to purchase handloom cloth from APCO.

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