The Textile Ministry will soon seek Cabinet's approval for a Rs 3,200-crore debt waiver scheme for handloom weavers, as part of the 100-day agenda of the UPA government, Minister of State for Textiles Panabaaka Lakshmi said.
Lakshmi, 51, who took charge today, said the Cabinet note on the proposal is ready and would be circulated for inter-ministerial consultations.
Lakshmi, who was elected thrice from Nellore constituency to Lok Sabha, was the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare in the previous regime.
She said the Government is also considering to issue identity cards for the weavers to help them avail health benefits.
According to estimates, the textiles industry is the second-largest employment generator, after agriculture, employing 35 million people.
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