Members of Padmasali International Welfare Association (PIWA) have resolved to set up more number of branches across the State and extend services to weavers and other poor in the community.
Speaking at the 4th PIWA meeting held here on Tuesday, association president S. Pulla Rao said that the organisation was established to help the weavers who were in need and the poor students belonging to Padmasali caste.
The association took up service activities, valued at about Rs.50 lakh in the last four years.
In 2012, scholarships were disbursed to 600 students, said Mr. Pulla Rao.
Acharya Nagarjuna University Vice-Chancellor K. Viyyanna Rao, who was the chief guest at the programme, asked the PIWA to coordinate with the government and see that the services reached the genuine beneficiaries.
The association members passed 17 resolutions urging the government to help the weavers whose looms were damaged during floods and improve marketing facilities for the products manufactured by handloom weavers.
Former Vijayawada Mayor Panchumarthi Anuradha attended the conference and promised all possible support to the poor and the needy in the community.
All India Padmasali Sangam vice-president G. Veera Chandra Rao, Guntur district DEO D. Anjaneyulu, PIWA vice-president and ENT specialist S. Prabhakar, association members from different districts across the State attended the meeting.
