Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana

•  Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched ‘Baristha Bunakar Sahayata Yojana’, a pension scheme for weaver community in the state.
• Under this scheme state government would provide Rs 500 pension to the weavers, on the occasion of National Handloom Day.
• The beneficiary must have worked at least preceding 20 years in the weaving profession and attained 60 years to avail the benefits under the pension scheme adding weavers, who have attained 80 years of age, would get Rs 700 pension per month.
• The pension would be transferred directly to the bank account of the weavers.
• About 8,000 beneficiaries would be covered under the scheme while the government would bear Rs 5 crore annually to implement the scheme.

Analysis:

• Despite the fact that the Indian weaving industry employs a large section of the Indian population, it is considered as a failing industry. Though this ancient industry of India is experiencing a bad phase, a large market for weaving products still exist both in the international and domestic market. The manufacturing of the weaving products makes a remarkable contribution to the national GDP and even in the exports revenue.
• As per studies, it has been found out that the weaving industry of India provides employment to approximately 12.5 million people, thereby, making this industry the largest provider of rural work force. It is preceded by the agriculture sector.
• Over 38, 00,000 weaving industries have been built throughout India, and more than 15, 00,000 domestic weaving industries have been set up in the states of North and Eastern parts of India.
• On the other hand, the southern states also have their huge share of weaving industries, for example, the southern state of Andhra Pradesh houses some 3, 20,000 weaving industries. Most of these industries are situated in Chirala, Pedana, Polavaram, Mangalagiri, Pochamapali, Ponduru, Dharamvaram, Narayanpet, Puttapaka, Madhavaram, Emmiganur and Gadwal. Along with these centers, the coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh also have numerous centers for weaving. All these sectors are engaged in the production of unique varieties of weaving products. Both the weaving sectors of northern and southern India are engaged in the weaving production for the domestic market only.
• Estimates over the years have found out that the weaving industry are supporting some 32 other sectors that include marketing, financial, transportation, hotels and even maintenance services.
• The weaving industry in India has self-depending mechanism that includes training the young weavers, abundance of resources and capacities, thereby, helping the industry not to be dependent on the Government. In addition, weaving is eco-friendly, and is aimed at the cutting back on the environmental impact.

By: Vishal