Textiles Minister interacts with SC beneficiaries in five states via
video-conferencing
Ministry of Textiles celebrates Ambedkar Jayanti
On the occasion of the 126th birth
anniversary of the architect of the Indian constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar,
the Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani distributed benefits under
welfare schemes of the Ministry, to beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes
from various parts of the country. In a special programme held in Vigyan
Bhawan, New Delhi, the Minister also interacted through video-conferencing, with
handloom weavers, handicraft artisans, silk reelers and skill development
trainees at various locations in five states, apart from the beneficiaries who
were present at the function in Delhi.
The Minister recalled the testimony
of a weaver from Odisha who has been able to double his monthly income from Rs.
4,000/- to Rs. 8,000/-, with the help of Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana. She also
noted the story of a labourer’s son from Indore, who was able to get placed
under ISDS and is now able to dream of a better future. Smt. Irani also spoke
of a girl from Bareilly who demonstrated the benefits of the improved artisan
tool-kit via video-conference to the Minister and others present today.
Encouraging her to be an instructor as well, Smt. Irani directed the officials
to utilize her skills in communicating the benefits of improved toolkits to
other artisans. Stating that Dr. Ambedkar dreamed of an India where every
Indian would be able to contribute to nation building, by one’s own honest
efforts and education, the Minister appreciated everyone associated with the
textiles sector, for their contribution in the economic empowerment of people
such as these.
An MoU was signed on the occasion, between
Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles and National
Schedule Castes Finance and Development Corporation, Ministry of Social Justice
& Empowerment. Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani said that the MoU is a great example
of collaboration within the Government.
Noting that the year is being
observed as ‘Garib Kalyan Varsh’, the
Minister said that the efforts by the Government, under the leadership of PM
Shri Narendra Modi, to join people using AADHAAR and MUDRA is leading to the
direct transfer of benefits to the bank accounts of the poor.
The Minister noted that her Ministry
is making special efforts for the welfare of about 20 lakh Scheduled Caste citizens
working in handicraft, handloom and sericulture sectors. She said that the
Government has decided to provide 100% subsidy to SC weavers for construction
of work-shed. She also recalled the launch of PowerTex India for strengthening of power loom
sector, stating that 75% subsidy is being given to SC beneficiaries, for
upgradation of powerlooms. The Minister announced that the Government has
decided to provide 75% subsidy in fees for school education via NIOS and
university education via IGNOU, for families of SC weavers and artisans.
The Union Minister for Social Justice
& Empowerment thanked the Union Textiles Minister for working at a fast
pace for welfare of SC beneficiaries in the textiles sector. He said that the
MoU signed today would advance the welfare of people belonging to Scheduled
Castes, in line with the governance philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. The Minister also underscored that the
Ministry of Textiles has a significant role to play in the fulfillment of this
goal.
The Textiles Minister interacted with
beneficiaries of silk projects in Jammu and Nainital, and distributed cheques and tool kits to five beneficiaries of
silk projects.
She also distributed improved tool
kits to five SC artisans, after interacting with beneficiaries in Bareilly
Handicrafts Mega Cluster.
Smt. Irani also interacted with MUDRA
loan handloom weaver beneficiaries at Bargarh, Odisha, and distributed MUDRA
loans to four handloom weavers and three handicraft artisans, on the occasion.
The Minister interacted with ISDS
beneficiaries at Indore and distributed ISDS certificates to 5 ISDS trainees
belonging to Scheduled Castes.
Besides many artisans, handloom weavers, silk reelers and ISDS trainees from various parts of India belonging to Scheduled Castes, Chairman,
Central Silk Board, K M Hanumantharayappa; Secretary, Textiles, Smt. Rashmi
Verma; Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Smt. G. Latha
Krishna Rao, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
The entire programme can be watched online here.
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GG/DJM