(a) whether the Government has decided to provide subsidy for education to the weavers enrolled in National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the time by which the final decision in this regard is likely to be taken;
(d) whether it is also a fact that adequate publicity of the scheme has been given in weaver clusters in the country; and
(e) if so, the response of the weavers?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
(a) to(c): Yes, Madam. The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Noida to impart education and training to the handloom weavers and their children through open schooling. Ministry of Textiles is providing reimbursement of 75% of the course fee to SC, ST, BPL and women learners of handloom weaver’s families. Till date, 1034 (465 male and 569 female) handloom weavers have been enrolled through NIOS.
(d) to (e): For adequate publicity of the scheme among the handloom weavers, Hastkala Sahyog Shivirs have been organized in Handloom Clusters across the country. In response, large number of weavers has come forward to avail benefits of the handloom schemes including educational courses of NIOS. States were informed to make the weavers aware about this opportunity. Also, Minister of Textiles requested all Hon’ble Members of Parliament to popularize the learning opportunities available for weavers through NIOS in course of their public interactions.
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