We would like to tell you that as a result of continuous massive campaigning conducted by PVCHR in the support weavers of Varanasi ultimately State Government of UP and Central Government got awakened and took notice to the poor and hunger stricken community of weavers of the country.

Last week UP Government announced to exempt the weavers from electricity bill and to supply them electricity at very cheap rate. Yesterday on 28 June, 2006 Prime Minister of India Sri Man Mohan Singh inaugurated a grand ceremony of ‘Handloom Mark’ in New Delhi. At this occasion he announced to provide loan to the weavers at very low interest. He declared that this facility would come into effect within 3 months, as Rs.1000 crore is being managed for this purpose.

At this occasion Prime Minister paid honor to the weavers gathered from different parts of the country. Prime Minister also honored Wakil Ahamad and Maqbool Hasan, both two weavers of Varanasi supported by PVCHR. Further he made appeal to the countrymen to put the handloom made clothes on at least once in a week. He told that by 31 August 06, 230 yarn depot would be established in different parts of the country.

Shankar Singh Baghela, Central Textile Minister was also present in the ceremony. At this occasion he told that technology elevation fund scheme will also be initiated by September 06. Prime Minister asked the Finance Minister and Textile Minister to provide capital to the weavers so that they could by able to return their debt in installments. He also promised to give support to the weavers to enhance quality of their products so that the sell of their products could be increased. At this occasion Prime Minister of India acknowledged the importance of weavers community in the national income.

PVCHR welcomes the proposal and announcement of Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh made in the support of weavers. But PVCHR has further made demand to establish ‘Varanasi Weavers Trust’ very soon. Dr Lenin of PVCHR has made it clear that there is no way out to bring about positive changes in the lives of poor weavers other than to ensure proper mechanism to the weavers to have easy accessibility to the market and further he clarified that this mechanism could be provided only by introducing ‘Varanasi Weavers Trust’ which is an ambitious project for the weavers of Varanasi proposed by Dr Darin, who is well known economist at international level for their innovative ideas and for their contribution in the support of poor.

Prashant, Advocacy Coordinator, Information and Research Centre, Right to Food Campaign UP

Shruti Nagvanshi, Savitri Ba Phule Mahila Panchayat