Business

Handloom weavers to be included in MGNREGA

Union textile minister Kuvuru Sambshiva Rao, during his visit to Varanasi and Bhadohi, announced that the weavers would be brought under MGNREGA scheme soon, and will be given employment in the field of their traditional work.

Rajni Kant of the State Alliances for Rights, Empowerment and Livelihood (SAREL) Network had demanded guaranteed employment to handloom weavers and handicraft artisans under MGNREGA scheme. Welcoming the minister’s announcement, he said, “We are happy that the Union textiles minister has given a strong assurance in this regard. We had submitted a demand that handloom, zari zardozi work, hand embroidery and traditional cottage industries producing handmade goods, should be brought under the coverage of MGNREGA”.

According to a government report, almost 53% works relate to soil and water conservation under MGNREGA focus on regenerating the rural ecosystem and creating rural infrastructure that supports sustainable livelihood.

The list of permitted works under MGNREGA has been expanded to further strengthen the scheme's cooperation with agriculture and livelihood creation. The addition of work is likely to improve the socio-economic condition of marginalized sections of the society.