(a) whether the Government has prepared any relief package for weavers including waiving off the loans outstanding against them;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is any proposal to give such relief package to other handicraft artisans of the country as well;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
(a) to (e): There is no proposal for package to handloom weavers and handicraft artisans for waiving off the loans outstanding against them. However, Credit at concessional interest rate is being provided to handloom sector under Concessional Credit Component Scheme of National Handloom Development Programme. Under the scheme, the loans are provided at concessional interest rate of 6% for a period of three years. Margin money assistance to a maximum of Rs.10,000/- per weaver and credit guarantee for a period of three years is also provided. Similarly, Handicraft artisans registered with the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) are being provided interest subvention @ 6% per annum for 3 years upto maximum benefit of Rs.1.00 lakh.
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