KARIMNAGAR: Widows of the powerloom weavers, who have committed suicide due to unemployment and poverty in Sircilla town, have launched a relay-hunger strike demanding suitable ex gratia and rehabilitation to all the bereaved families of weavers.

The relay hunger entered the sixth-day on Sunday in Sircilla town.

It may be recalled that the State Government had announced provision of ex gratia to the bereaved families of the weavers, who have committed suicide, from May 14, 2004 onwards only.

Some 47 weavers had committed suicide since May 14, 2004 in Sircilla town alone.

But, the widows were demanding the State Government to provide ex gratia to all the bereaved weaver families from 1997 onwards.

Ever since, the powerloom sector was plunged into a crisis due to advent of auto and jet looms, a total of 97 weavers had committed suicide between 1997-2004 due to unemployment and increasing debts. High incidence of suicides was reported in the year 2001.

Under the banner of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) district unit, widows had launched the relay-hunger strike demanding ex gratia and proper rehabilitation.

CPI-M district secretary V. Venkat Reddy demanded the State Government to announce a special package for the rehabilitation of distressed weavers.

The political parties were extending support to the relay hunger strike camp.

Screening committees

Meanwhile, the State Government constituted revenue division-wise screening committees to identity the widows of weavers and study about their living conditions.

Based on the applications received for sanctioning of ex gratia, the local revenue authorities along with the textile and handloom authorities would visit the families and submit their reports.

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