The All-IndiaHandloom RightsForum (AIHRF) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend financial assistance tofamiliesin thehandloom sector.
The AIHRF president sought financial help of at least Rs 10,000 per family per month during the pandemic. This, he said, was because while some states have announced lockdowns and others have imposed curfews, all of which are hurting the sector. Narasimham said that around 31.45 lakh families are engaged in thehandloomsector across the country and 75% of those involved in handloom are Women.
The AIHRF president also wants the Centre to pay Rs 25,000 into accounts of weavers whose families were hit by Covid-19. He further requested the government to waive all taxes on raw materials, products and all direct and indirect taxes on the sector including those on hank yarn, chemicals, colours and cloth.