Handloom weavers' plea to TN Govt

Chennai, Aug 20 (UNI) Thanking the Tamil Nadu Government for initiating various welfare measures, the Thalapathi Stalin Handloom Weavers Association today urged the government to consider their charter of demands, including provision of free house site pattas.

In a statement here, Association Secretary K Perumal Raj said the government should provide electricity to handloom weavers free of cost without any ceiling.

At present, the government was providing 100 units free power to the weavers.

He also demanded Rs 50,000 as grant from the government, besides assistance for the wards of weavers studying in schools, colleges and polytechniques.

The association also wanted the government to directly procure the dhotis and sarees weaved by them by opening procurement centres, as it would result in better price.

Increase in wages in tune with the rising prices, interest-free loan upto Rs five lakh from banks and inclusion of handloom weaving in school curriculum were the other demands of the association.

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