Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday formally launched the distribution of free handloom uniforms for students of government schools across the State.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that the endeavour will prove to be a boon for traditional handloom weavers who have been struggling to earn their livelihood. He added that the scheme will figure among the achievements of the LDF government during its first year.
Besides providing uniforms to students free-of-cost, the initiative will become beneficial for the traditional sector which has been facing gradual destruction of late. There have been instances of handloom cooperative societies winding down their operations due to the lack of business.
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While the government has sanctioned funds required for procuring two pairs of uniform for each student up to Class VIII, the required cloth material has not been produced as of yet. As a result, the uniforms will be distributed among students of lower primary classes. The scheme will be extended to the other classes from the next year onwards by ensuring the necessary availability of handloom.
Education Minister C. Ravindranath, Industries Minister A.C. Moideen, Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran, Education department special secretary K. Gopalakrishnan Bhat, district panchayat president V.K. Madhu, Handloom general council general secretary Arakkal Balan and Hantex president Peringamala Vijayan were present on the occasion.