INDIA: Chief Minister to declare Sircilla as Textile Special Economic Zone

The group urged the Chief Minister to declare Sircilla as Textile Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which may bring some relief to the weavers who at present are going through rough phase due to lack of finances.

In order to bring some relief to powerloom workers of Sircilla, a major powerloom weaving centre in Karimnagar district, Andhra Pradesh, Mr Y S Rajasekahar, Chief Minister recently held a meeting.

once again resurrect faith among weavers towards this shaky industry, powerlooms should be separated from handlooms and a separate department be created to look in to problems of handloom weavers, as both industries have different set of problems that needs to be solved separately.

They also suggested that the Government must also come with a pension plan for the sick weavers. All the weavers associated with this sector should be brought under ESI and EPF schemes, so that their life runs smoothly even after retirement.

The delegation also wants the State Government to set up AP Weaver Welfare Board for the weavers and exempt them from paying VAT on yarn including silk and zari so that they are not burderned. The weavers must also be excused from paying income tax. The authorities should even formulate a handloom policy and implement Handloom Reservation Act.

It is believed that if all these measures are carried out with immediate effect, the powerloom industry of Sircilla can once again weave profits and regain its lost glory.

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