Union Petroleum Minister M Veerappa Moily on Sunday gave a clarion call to weavers to adopt new technologies.
At the 50th anniversary celebrations of Textile Co-operative Bank Ltd in the city, Moily said that weavers should be united and organised to be successful.
“There is a need for strong leadership to strengthen weavers. This community contributes almost four per cent to the country’s GDP,” he said. Moily asked weavers to utilise the Union government’s schemes for them.
Mentioning technology upgradation funds of around Rs 2,5000 crore for the textile industry, Moily said this money has been mostly unutilised till date. “Many such schemes exist but are not taken advantage of. Why are you (weavers) so hesitant to claim these funds?” he said.
Moily said a centralised plan is needed for the development of weavers in the country. “All chief ministers must keep aside funds for development and welfare.”
Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil said weavers were not represented by an able leader and they should putforth their issues with the help of a strong leader.