THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to help the crisis-ridden handloom industry in the state, the government will distribute handloom uniforms to UP school students from next year onwards, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Listing out the welfare schemes introduced by the government, he said special focus is being given to revive the traditional industrial sector including coir, handloom and cashew.
“We have extended welfare pensions to beneficiaries who never thought they will be covered under the scheme. The government has distributed Rs 5,100 crore to 48.5 lakh people as welfare pension, till March 31, 2017. There have been certain technical glitches, which are being resolved now,” Pinarayi said.
Achievements
Modernisation of coir sector to bring back its lost glory.
Social welfare pensions given. Arrears to the tune of Rs 190 crore cleared.
10Lworkers get job in cashew sector. Cashew Development Corporation and Capex revived.
8 lakh handloom workers assured job. 2.30 lakh students being provided uniform this year. Two lakh mandays added this year.
Welfare pension increased to Rs 1100 from Rs 600. The honorarium of librarians and nursery teachers has been hiked.
Rs 449 crore of the Rs 500 crore rubber price stabilisation fund 3.30 lakh people.
One crore saplings to be planted on June 5.
Paddy cultivation extended to 2.02 lakh Ha in 2016-17 from 1.97 lakh Ha in 2015-16
No major announcements
Noticeably, no new projects were announced by the Chief Minister on the first anniversary of the government. “Earlier there were only negative reports from Kerala. Now, there are many new initiatives; And these have come to the attention of the world media,” said Pinarayi Vijayan.