ABSTRACT

Handloom Industry - Distribution of Dhoties and Sarees Scheme for the year 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 - Distribution of dhoties and sarees - Alternative employment to the weavers under the Scheme - Orders - Issued

HANDLOOMS, HANDICRAFTS, TEXTILES AND KHADI (D2) DEPARTMENT

G.O.(Ms).NO. 74                                               

DATED: 30.7.2002

( Chithrabanu, Aadi 14, Thiruvalluvar Aandu 2033)

READ:-

• G.O.Ms.No.31.Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi department dated 21.3.2001

• G.O.Ms.No.89, Handlooms, Handicrafts,Textiles and Khadi department dated 31.7.2001

• G.O.Ms.NO.146, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi department dated 26.11.2001

• From the Director of Handlooms & Textiles D.O.Letter No.999/2001/P1 dated 3.4.2002

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ORDER:

The Scheme of Free Distribution of Dhoties and Sarees to the rural landless agricultural labourers , those living below the poverty line in urban and rural areas , rural artisans and fishermen has been implemented from the year 1991-1992 to 2000-2001.

2. 45 lakh dhoties and 45 lakh sarees were procured for distribution under Free Distribution Scheme for the year 2001-2002. In view of the uneconomic production process and the complications involved in inefficient distribution to the benficiaries limiting it to the deserving poor, Government have discontinued the scheme from 2002-2003. Meanwhile expecting continuance of the scheme, 18 lakh sarees and 9 lakh dhoties were produced from January 2002 to April 2002 for distribution in the year 2002--2003. As any abrupt discontinuance will cause hardship, Government have decided to procure these dhoties and sarees to provide relief to the weavers. The intention of the Government is to provide very quickly alternative higher economic value added weaving activities involving new technologies to the weavers who were involved in producing dhoties and sarees for the Free Distribution Scheme.

3. The Government have carefully considered the question of distribution of dhoties and sarees procured for the year 2001-2002 and dhoties and sarees produced in anticipation of Government orders for the year 2002-2003 and direct as follows :-

 1)  As regards 45 lakh dhoties and 45 lakh sarees procured under Free Distribution Scheme for the year 2001-2002, 20 lakh sarees and 4 lakh dhoties are to be distributed to all Old Age Pensioners of the State in the current financial year for Deepavali and Pongal. The remaining number of dhoties and sarees ( ie.41 lakh dhoties and 25 lakh sarees) will be sold through Fair Price Shops at the rates as mentioned below irrespective of whether it is a powerloom or handloom product:-

Price of saree Rs. 40/-
Price of dhoti Rs. 30/-

2) As regards 18 lakh sarees and 9 lakh dhoties produced between January to April 2002 anticipating that it will be lifted under the Free Distribution Scheme, Government direct that it may be procured from the weavers at the rates already fixed by the Government. An amount of Rs.25 .00 crores is sanctioned in 2002-2003 for this purpose. Dhoties and Sarees so procured should also be sold through Fair Price Shops in the discounted rates mentioned in item 1 above.

3) As regards the alternative employment, diversification and training to the weavers numbering about 25,000 , the Government direct as follows :-

a) The scheme of issue of "Free dhoties and sarees to Old Age Pensioners " twice a year for Deepavali and Pongal would be continued and approximately 6,000 handlooms would be engaged in this.

b) Wherever it is possible, production from these weavers should be issued for free uniforms and other uses of Government Departments. This should be explored and maximum number of weavers should be given work on supply of free uniforms.

c) Weavers should be encouraged to change over to marketable varieties and better value added madeups and materials which move fast in the open market. Examples are home furnishings, foot-mats, made-ups , kitchen materials etc.

d) Necessary financial assitance should be arranged through Cooperative institutions / Nationalised banks to the weavers who want to convert their handloom into powerloom or value added handlooms with Jacquard.

e) Swarna Jayanthi Gram Swarojgar Yojana Scheme can be fully utilised for assisting the weavers to take up the new avenues either individually or jointly.

4. Government also constitute a Committee of Ministers to implement and monitor the above schemes for the benefit of the weavers.

5. The Director of Handlooms & Textiles and the Managing Director, Co-optex are requested to take necessary follow-up action in this regard.

6. This order issues with the concurrence of Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection and Finance Departments vide their U.O.No. 36/2002 dated 29.7.2002 and U.O.No.2732/F.S/P/2002 dated 30.7.2002 respectively.

(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

SUKAVANESHVAR
CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

To

The Director of Handlooms & Textiles ,Chennai-108
The Managing Director, Cooptex , Chennai-8
The Accountant General , Chennai -18 / ( By Name )
The Accountant General, Chennai -35 / ( By Name )
The Pay and Accounts Officer, (North), Chennai-1
The Accountant General (CAS), Chennai-9
All Departments of Secretariat
All Heads Of Departments/All District Collectors.
Copy to :The Public (Spl.A / Spl. B / SC)Department, Chennai-9
The Cooperation,Food & Consumer Protection Department,Chennai-9
The Finance Department, Chennai-9
The Handlooms,Handicrafts, Textiles &Khadi (A) Department,Chennai-9
sf/sc

//forwarded by order//

SECTION OFFICER