Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday distributed cheques worth Rs 50,000 to each of the weavers’ societies from four districts of the State under Mudra Bank Yojana during a weavers’ conference in North Lakhimpur.
Chief Minister Sonowal while participating in the weavers’ conference at the playground of Govt. Higher Secondary School, North Lakhimpur said 400 such societies, which have not received any previous Government benefits will be provided with assistance this year.
As a part of sequel of steps that the State Government has been taking for women empowerment, the Directorate of Handloom and Textile organized the weavers’ conference covering Majuli, Biswanath, Dhemaji and Lakhimpur together.
Speaking at the weavers’ conference, Chief Minister Sonowal said that the weavers of Assam weave dreams in their looms. Considering the immense potential of the weavers, he urged upon the weaving community to reap benefits from the schemes implemented by Handloom and Textile Department.
He also said that the Government of Assam for the welfare of unemployed youth, old age persons, women, divyangjans (infirm people) has taken several schemes. He also said that the State government is committed to the overall development of all sections of the people of the State.
Chief Minister Sonowal said that for the women empowerment, the Central and State Governments have implemented several schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, wage compensation scheme for pregnant women in tea garden districts. Comparing his government with the previous government in the State, Sonowal said that the previous government in the State indulged in vote bank politics. Whereas the present Government conceptualized and launched schemes like Swahid Kushal Konwar Universal Pension Scheme to extend helping hands to the old age people attaining 60 years.
Speaking that empowerment of women leads to empowerment of society, Sonowal urged upon the women folk to take the responsibility to lead the society to the path of righteousness. Stating that various divisive forces are hell bound to create flutter in the society, Sonowal said that such forces cannot defeat Government’s intention and responsibility of weaving the society together on the values of humanity and harmony.
Speaking on Government’s uncompromising tirade against corruption, Chief Minister Sonowal that his Government’s fight against corrupt officials and corrupt practices will go on till the last seed of corruption is weeded out completely.
He also appealed to the people to have a vigilant eye on the implementation of government schemes and contribute to the age-old unity exists in the state among the people belonging to Barak, Brahmaputra, hills and plains.
Minister for Handloom and Textile Ranjit Dutta while speaking on the occasion gave a brief snapshot of all the schemes that the government took for the welfare of the weavers of the state. He also said that the State government so far gave training to 1646 weavers along with stipends through 102 training centres.
He also said that State Government has set up 27 thread bank and through these banks, weavers would get thread at 20 per cent Government subsidy. The minister also said that two Model Village of Handloom and Textile would bet set up in the State and Rs 2 crore has been earmarked for that.
Minister of State (i/c) for Panchayat and Rural Development Naba Kumar Doley, MP Pradan Baruah, former deputy mayor of Guwahati Municipal Corporation Bijuli Kalita Medhi also spoke on the occasion.
MLA Ranoj Pegu, Promod Borthakur, former Minister Premadhar Bora, Principal Secretary Handloom and Textile Hemanta Narzary, Director Handloom and Textile Bishnu Kamal Bora, Deputy Commissioner, Lakhimpur Jiban BK and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.