BJP holds UPA responsible for downfall of handloom sector

New Delhi, Oct 3 (UNI) Expressing concern over the reports of more than 300 weavers and handicraftsmen committing suicide in Andhra Pradesh, the BJP today blamed the UPA government for its negligence of the sector which resulted in its downfall.

The sector had potential of earning Rs 30,000 to Rs 50,000 crore annually for the country.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said the UPA did nothing to help modernise the handloom and powerloom sectors after opening the domestic markets under the WTO arrangement. The government should provide Rs 1000 crore for modernisation coupled with a special package of incentives to bring life into the crestfallen weaver community where several owners of handlooms and powerlooms were finding it difficult to fend for themselves.

India was the only country which was uniquely placed to be a leader in the handloom sector utilising the skills of its workers, he said. The sector can be revived only if there was capital induction but if one went by the investments by NABARD, it had provided a measly Rs 75 crore for modernisation.

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