India: Handloom weavers request for revision in RRR package

Weaving

India: Handloom weavers request for revision in RRR package

The state government of Andhra Pradesh has requested the Ministry of Textiles to relax the existing norms under Revival, Reform and Restructuring (RRR) package and extend the scheme to all the functional societies in the state so as to give benefit to the large number of weavers.

Many states have requested for modifying the guidelines of RRR package for the handloom sector.

The Ministry of Textiles is seeking approval of the government for relaxation in the eligibility norms for assessing the viable and potentially viable apex and primary weavers cooperatives societies, providing loan to handloom sector at 6% interest, as announced by Finance Minister in the budget of 2013-14, margin money assistance at Rs 10, 000 per weaver besides extending the implementation of RRR package up to December 31, 2013.

The RRR package for handloom sector was proposed in the 2011-12 Budget speech to benefit 15,000 cooperative societies and 300,000 weavers across the country.The Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme was proposed with a total outlay of Rs 3884 crore.

Indian Textiles Commissioner A.B. Joshi had said that the Union Ministry of Textiles will give a thrust to the weaving sector during the 12th Plan period in terms of financial assistance and waiver of loans.