Gadwal: In Jogulamba Gadwal District, Rajoli Mandal, BJP District President S. Ramachandra Reddy recently took part in a protest organized by Mandal President Associations. The protest was held in front of the Tahsildar’s office and led by Sanjeeva Reddy. The main demand of the protest was that the state government should immediately pay the overdue Thrift Fund amounts to eligible weavers.
Reddy explained that the Thrift Fund scheme was introduced by the previous government in Telangana to help weavers with their financial needs. According to the scheme, a weaver deposits ₹1,000 into their bank account each month, and the state government is supposed to add ₹2,000 to the same account. The scheme is designed to last for three years. However, even though the three years have passed, the state government has not paid the weavers for the last ten months.
Reddy expressed his concern that weavers, who have fulfilled their part of the deal by depositing their share, are now suffering because the government has not paid its dues. He pointed out that weavers work very hard to make a living, and the government’s failure to pay what is owed is putting them in a difficult situation.
In addition to financial issues, Reddy highlighted the health problems that weavers face due to their work. He mentioned that many weavers suffer from poor eyesight, knee problems, and back pain from long hours at the loom. He demanded that the state government provide health cards to weavers to help them with these medical issues. He also called for Aasara pensions to be given to weavers when they turn 50, considering the tough conditions they endure.
Reddy accused the state government of not caring about the welfare of weavers and called for the immediate revival of several welfare schemes that have been suspended. These include the Thrift Fund, Silk Subsidy, Weavers’ Insurance, Health Insurance, and Cluster schemes. He urged the government to support weavers in the same way it supports farmers, by introducing comprehensive welfare programs.
The protest was attended by several leaders and weavers, including members of the Kisan Morcha State Executive Committee such as Medi Konda Bhimsen Rao, Boya Venkatesh, EC Anjaneyulu, and others. Together, they demanded that the state government immediately clear the overdue payments under the Thrift Fund scheme and provide all necessary support to the weavers.
