The Hindu : Front Page : Income support scheme from July

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Sunday, Jun 13, 2010
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Income support scheme from July

Staff Reporter

Green Army launched at Wadakkanchery

Initiative to help workforce in traditional sectors
Labour bank to be formed in districts

Thrissur: The State government will launch an income support scheme for traditional sectors in July.

This was announced by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac while speaking after dedicating Wadakkanchery block panchayat's labour bank ‘Green Army' to the agriculture sector in the State.

Rs.50 crore for scheme

“The income support scheme is meant for ensuring financial empowerment of the largely underpaid workforce in traditional sectors. The government has allotted Rs.50 crore for the scheme in the budget,” he said

The Minister said that workers of coir, handloom and khadi industries would be brought under the scheme in the initial phase. The scheme would ensure a minimum of 100 working days a year with a daily wage of Rs.150.

“With this scheme, the government wants to give a boost to the traditional industries by retaining their workers. The scheme would provide income security along with job security. The government will provide subsidy for Coirfed to procure coir products,” the Minister said.

Job security alone would not help the traditional sector Dr. Isaac said.

A role model

“Modernisation initiatives are needed to face market challenges. The Green Army, which has successfully incorporated technological advancements into the traditional agricultural practices, is a role model for the traditional sectors,” he said.

The Minister said the government was contemplating the formation of labour banks in other districts also.

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