Question : WELFARE OF WEAVERS

(a) the total budget allocated for improvement of the conditions of the Weavers in the country including Tamil Nadu;

(b) whether the Government proposes to provide tax exemption for gold and silver zari weavers of handloom sector;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Handloom Development Centres have been set up with the grants received from the Union Government to provide benefits to the weavers in the country including the State of Kerala; and

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

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES(SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)

(a): No State-wise funds are allocated under the schemes being implemented by the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms. The budget allocated for the first three years of the 11th Plan throughout the country including State of Tamil Nadu is as under:

(Rs. in crore)
Year	Budget Allocated

2007-08	Rs.294.52

2008-09	Rs. 325.98

2009-2010	Rs. 340.00