By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Varanasi: On his visit to the city on 14th March, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had interaction with a delegation of weavers and announced a slew of programmes for the benefit of the weavers.
The prime minister said that the government would develop a Mega Cluster for Silk Weavers. For the project, Rs 70 crore will be provided to Varanasi to improve the infrastructural facilities for weavers through better storage facilities, weaving facilities and production facilities.
Over one lakh weavers from Varanasi are being covered under the weavers’ health insurance scheme. The remaining uncovered powerloom workers will be covered under the Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana, to be launched on 1st April 2008, the prime minister announced.
Dr. Manmohan Singh said he was aware of the problems being faced by weavers on account of overdue electricity bills. He promised to see how relief could be provided to weavers from the burden of past electricity bills
The delegation of weavers was led by Member of Parliament Dr. R.K. Mishra.