From our special correspondent
Daijiworld media network
Bengaluru, Jan11: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai instructed officials to establish the mini-textile park in 25 taluks which have the more concentration of population of weavers in the coming days.
Speaking after launching the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for the handloom and power loom weavers/workers under the Nekar Sanman in Bengaluru on Wednesday, January 11, he said the mini textile parks will help weavers starting from the processing cotton and manufacturing readymade garments.
“I have close links with weavers individually and saw their problems from the closeness. The weavers must focus on the quality of products and come forward for exports,” he said.
The market must be extended through the digital forum and for this, the Department of Handlooms and Textile will extend full support. Steps are being taken to agree with Amazon, Flipkart, and other online platforms.
“Till now, the assistance was only for the weavers but now it has been extended to the power loom weavers and workers after understanding their travails. It is the Sankranti gift for the weavers,” he said pointing out that former chief minister B S Yediyurappa had responded to the problems of weavers.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, he took bold decisions such as loan waiver and the Nekar Samman scheme. The incumbent government is also helping them in a big way. Demands of those legislators in whose constituencies there is a big concentration of the weavers' population is fulfilled immediately, Bommai said.
On this occasion, he interacted with the weavers of Bengaluru Rural, Urban, Tumkur, Belagavi and Bagalkot districts.
Textile and Sugar Minister Shankarpatil Munenkoppa, Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation Chairman Siddu Savadi, MLAs Mahadevappa, Shivalingappa Yadwad, M D Lakshminarayana and others were present.
Logo of Uttara Karnataka Utsav released
The chief minister released the logo of North Karnataka Utsav-2023 organized by the North Karnataka Associations' Federation to be held in Bengaluru on January 21 and 22.
People from North Karnataka have come in search of various jobs and settled in Bengaluru, but they have protected and preserved the rich cultural heritage by forming associations in various extensions. Various associations have formed the federation to organize more among themselves. The get-together of such nature will help in preserving the rich cultural heritage of North Karnataka. A variety of cultural programs will be held.
On this occasion, the federation will felicitate the Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues for sanctioning 3.24 gunta of land to the association for holding various activities.
CM lauds Shastri’s contribution
Earlier in the morning, the chief minister lauded the high-stature personality of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and said it must become the source of inspiration for all.
Speaking to the media after garlanding the statue of Lal Bahadur Shastri on the occasion of his 57th death anniversary, he said Shastri was one of the most influential prime ministers of the nation but his death was tragic. He died under mysterious circumstances in Tashkent in Russia for a peace treaty after India won a war against Pakistan. Suspicion still haunts his death. India had received a big jolt as Shastri had gone to Russia for a peace treaty with Pakistan.
Hailing from a poor family, Shastri led a simple life and did not have any inferiority complex. He had no wish to become rich but gave good governance to the people and started many good things during his tenure. His life is always a source of inspiration for people. The real way of observing his death anniversary was to follow the path shown by him. Shastri's biggest contribution has been the 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' slogan to give impetus to the country's safety, development, self-respect, and self-reliance, Bommai added.
The chief minister later had breakfast with Crematorium workers at his residence and promised to regularize the services of those working in the districts. The government has already regularized the services of 130 crematorium workers in Bengaluru on par with pourakarmikas and would go ahead with regularizing the services of 300 persons working in districts too, he said.
“Ours is a responsive government and the government will consider the demands of crematorium workers too. More facilities will be provided in crematoriums,’’ he said.