Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao said, that, a multi-pronged strategy is essential for the overall development of Padmashali Community, who are living on weaving profession, and towards this both the government and padmashali’s welfare association should work together hand in hand. The CM also said, that, the Government has already been providing necessary encouragement and incentive to those who continue to work in the weaving profession, besides showing alternate employment opportunities to those who left the profession. The CM said, that the Government is prepared to spend any amount for the welfare of padmashalis and in turn they should make optimum utilization of these funds and find lasting solutions of the issues.
CM announced allotment of two and half acre’s land and Rs. 5 crore money for the construction of Padmashali Bhavan in Hyderabad city. CM suggested that the community should organize and create padmashali welfare fund for which as a first donation the TRS party’s contribution would be Rs.50 lakhs. CM gave a call to the leaders of the community to donate liberally to the welfare fund.
Chief Minister had a meeting with representatives of Padmashali community who came to Praghathi Bhavan led by MLA sangareddy Chinta Prabhakar. CM had a detailed discussion on the issues, problems faced by the community and the ways and means to counter them.
“Leaders of the Padmashali Association and others should play key role. They should collect data on how many are still dependent on the profession, what can be done for them etc. The artistic handloom weaving is still in vogue in Pochampally, Gadwal, Narayanpet and other centres. There is adequate marketing also for these products. What sort of encouragement they should be given? What sort of alternates could be provided to those who left profession? What Government can do? On these issues data to be collected by padmashali community leaders. You should be able to decide about your requirement. Government is prepared to release funds. By making use of these funds you should be able to find out a permanent solution to the problems” said the CM to the representatives of the handloom weaving community.(NSS)