Question : SUICIDE CASES IN ANDHRA PRADESH

(a) whether Government is aware of the fact that workers/weavers of Handloom and Handicraft Industry are seriously affected with the diseases like T.B., Asthma etc.;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the remedial measures Government propose to take for the development and welfare of these workers and weavers;

(d) whether a large number of weavers/workers of handloom and handicraft in the country and specially in Andhra Pradesh have committed suicide and died in starvation due to their financial pitiable condition;

(e) if so, the State-wise details thereof;

(f) whether Government has taken any step to deal with the situation; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES ( SHRI SHANKERSINH VAGHELA )

(a) & (b) With the objective of ameliorating some of the Health problems relating to the profession of handloom weaving the Government of India is implementing the Health Package Scheme for handloom weavers and under this scheme financial assistance is provided for the treatment of diseases like TB, asthma, and inflammation of respiratory system, cost of eye testing and spectacles, supply of drinking water, maternity benefit to women weavers, payment of additional compensation for permanent measures of family planning and infrastructure for the primary health care. During the year 2003-04 a sum of Rs. 221.25 lakh was released to various State Governments under the Health Package Scheme and 26814 handloom weavers were benefited. In the handicraft sector no such cases have been reported.

(c) The Government of India is implementing a number of schemes for the Development of handloom sector and welfare of the handloom weavers the schemes are Deen Dayal Hathkargha Prothsahan Yojana, Handloom Export Scheme, Marketing Promotion Programme, Design Development & Training Programme, Integrated Handloom Training Programme, Mill Gate Price Scheme, Workshed-cum-Housing Scheme, Weavers Welfare Scheme, Bunkar Bima Yojana, Implementation of Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act 1985 and 10% Rebate on Handloom products.

(d) & (e) The Government of Andhra Pradesh has reported about 13 suicide death by handloom weavers due to various reasons in 11 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The reasons include financial hardships due to private debts, family problems, ill health etc. No other state has reported any suicide by handloom weavers. No instance of handicraft artisans having committed suicide in the country including the State of Andhra Pradesh has been reported.

(f) & (g) Government of Andhra Pradesh has constituted an Expert Committee headed by the Hon’ble Minister of Finance, Government of Andhra Pradesh to study the problems faced by weavers. The State Government has also informed that steps are proposed to be taken for assisting the weavers under Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY), Artisan Credit Cards, Employment Generation Programme, Netha Bazaars, Weavers Housing Programme and Old Age Pension Scheme.