Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M. Veerappa Moily on Sunday said that weavers had the potential of transforming the rural economy of the country and advised the State government to formulate a programme to develop the textile sector with Central assistance.
Inaugurating the Textile Textiles Cooperative Bank Limited’s golden jubilee celebrations, Mr. Moily promised the weavers that he would get Central funds for the development of the industry and the welfare of the weavers.
Echoing Mr. Moily’s views on the textiles sector, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H.K. Patil said the bank had done yeomen service to the weavers/industry and they should make use of Mr. Moily’s offer of Central help for its growth. Textiles was the second largest sector in the country after agriculture.
Mr. Patil exhorted weavers to forge unity among themselves. Commending the role played by the Minister of State for Kannada and Culture Umashree in mobilising the community, he urged them to encourage leadership qualities among themselves.
Thanking the two Ministers for their unstinted support for the development of the weavers/textiles sector, Ms. Umashree, said there were many things to be achieved to make it prosper. She sought cooperation of the ministers in fulfilling the task. Minister of State for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Dinesh Gundu Rao also promised help to the weavers. Bank’s former President T.V. Ashwath and Director Y.V. Venkatarangappa were felicitated.
