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Forum demands separate board for handloom weavers

Special Correspondent

Says it is necessary for fostering the traditional activities

Pondicherry: The Forum of Pondicherry State Handloom Weavers affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has called upon the Administration here to establish a separate Board to take care of weavers spread over the Union Territory. A resolution was adopted at a meeting of the Forum here on Saturday under the chairmanship of INTUC (Pondicherry unit) president G. Ravichandran.

He said wages paid to weavers was were inadequate. They had been living below the poverty line for years together. To ensure that the traditional activity was fostered, a separate Board was necessary to address the grievances of the weavers.

INTUC general secretary G. Narasingam also addressed the Forum's general body meeting.

The forum demanded that all weavers' families be issued red colour ration cards to highlight their poor economic status. All loans sanctioned to them during festivals should be waived and garments worth Rs.1,000 be distributed during special occasions. Minimum wages should be hiked by Rs.100 per weaver, it said.

Discontinuation of silk weaving activity had landed weavers in distress in Pondicherry and Karaikal regions. Hence, the government should take steps to revive silk weaving activity. Pension benefit should be made available to weavers from the age of 55 years and a solatium of Rs. 25,000 to families after the death of the weaver in the house, it said.

It also demanded free power supply for residential areas and for weaving sheds. Office bearers of the central committee were also elected at the meeting of the forum.

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