Five-member Committee constituted for welfare of Goldsmiths

Hyderabad, Oct 21 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today ordered constitution of a five-member committee to study and identify best practices for the welfare of Goldsmiths being implemented in other states.

The Committee would consist of two senior officials of BC Welfare Department and three representatives of 'AP Swarnakarula Sangham'.

In a meeting with a delegation of 'AP Swarnakarula Sangham' here, Dr Reddy assured them that the Government would redress their problems and agreed in principle to provide professional skill upgradation training to their members.

The Government was already providing housing, old age and widow pensions to all the eligible on saturation basis, he said, adding all their demands would be looked into positively once the Committee submited its report.

According to a press release issued here, their main demands included setting up of a separate Corporation for goldsmiths allocating Rs 25 crore per annum, protection for the 'Swarnakaras' from police harassment in theft cases, providing them 'pavala vaddi' loans and houses and training to goldsmiths as being done in some states like Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan.

UNI VA AKM 1746