Assam Social Welfare Minister Pramila Rani Brahma ceremonially distributed grants-in-aid of cotton yarns among beneficiaries at a programme held at the Basic Training Centre in Kokrajhar on Wednesday.
A total 760 Self Help Groups (SHGs) were given away cotton yarns under Kokrajhar Sub-division by the ST Welfare Development Board, which was sponsored by the WPT Department.
BTC Executive Member Rajiv Brahma was also present at the programme.
Talking to reporters, Pramila Rani Brahma said under the leadership of BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, every year SHGs are provided grants-in-aid for cotton yarns to maintain their families and urged the women to bring revolution in weaving.
She also said, “Nowadays our weaving culture has been going down day by day due to which West Bengal-made dakhana, aronais are now available in the markets, which is not a good sign for the weavers.”
The minister also announced that the best weavers would get awards. The 1st prize – Rs 25,000 – will be given by Uma Rani Brahma, chairman of ST Welfare Development Board, the 2nd prize – Rs 20,000 – by Dipen Barman, Kokrajhar circle officer and the 3rd prize – Rs 15,000 – by Pramila Rani Brahma.
Rajib Brahma, EM, BTC, WPT and Irrigation said that they have been providing aid for cotton yarn to the women weavers, Self Help Groups as well as individuals, to maintain their families.
Uma Rani Brahma, Chairman of ST Welfare Development Board also spoke on the occasion and encouraged the weavers to work hard.
She said that in first phase as many as 36 Self Help Groups and 100 beneficiaries were provided the aid and the rest will get the aid step by step.