Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Health Vima Project in Guj

Ahmedabad, May 25 (UNI) Union Textile Minister Shankersingh Vaghela today announced the commencement of Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Health Vima Project in Gujarat.

''With this project, we aim to provide social security to all sculptors, potters and handloom workers in the state,'' Mr Vaghela said while addressing a function.

''In the year 2006-07, the Central government had allotted just Rs five crore for this project. However, for this year, we have managed to secure Rs 96 crore,'' he said.

Speaking on the occassion, Handloom Development Commissioner Sanjay Agrawal said ''In a short span, we have achieved the target of providing identity cards to 20,000 sculptors and health cards to 5,000 handloom workers. By July 2007, we have decided to allot credit cards worth Rs one lakh to 5,000 handloom workers.'' ''Of 2.5 lakh handloom workers, health cards will be issued to 5,000 workers under which every worker would be entitled to Rs one lakh of medical insurance,'' he added.

UNI