DEATH IS NO SOLUTION:YSR

SIRCILLA: Calling upon the distressed weavers not to commit suicide, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on sunday said the State Government would render all assistance to them to recover from their problems.
During YSR two-hour whirlwind tour of the textile town, the Chief Minister also announced various sops for the weavers which include opening of an apparel park, modernisation of powerlooms, employment to 5,000 youth under various job schemes, Centrallysponsored Annapurna Antyodaya scheme under which 35 kg rice will be given at Rs 2 a kg, houses for 2,000 poor, loans at three percent interest, hostels for destitutes and an oldage home for senior citizens.
‘‘Death is no solution and keeping the future of your families, you should fight the problems and utilise various welfare schemes launched by the State Government,’’ Rajasekhara Reddy told them after launching a mega health camp under Rajiv Arogyasri scheme.
Rajasekhara Reddy, who also disbursed loans to the tune of Rs 5.04 crore to the members of the women Self Help Groups, said that the State Government would ask the ILFS to study the modernisation of powerlooms and after getting the report, an action plan would be prepared to implement the suggestions.
He said the 50 percent subsidy being given to the powerlooms will be continued and if necessary, it will be enhanced to 100 percent.
However, this will depend on the wages being paid by the powerloom owners to the workers, he said and directed the district officials to hold a meeting with the owners in this regard.
He also wanted the private moneylenders not to harass the poor as the women would repay the debts after availing bank loans.
Even they should not insist on the interest amount, he suggested.
Rajasekhara Reddy said the Rs 36 crore drinking water supply scheme for the town would be completed within two months and hrealth cards would be given to the powerloom workers by which treatment for 863 ailments can be availed in corporate hospitals.
Ministers P Sabitha Indra Reddy, T Jeevan Reddy and J Ratnakar Rao, Sircilla MLA Ch Rajeswara Rao and other officials were present.