Chenetha Health Cards Will Ensure OP Services To Weavers: KTR

KT Rama Rao said that the newly released Chenetha Health Card will include outpatient services among many other services for weavers in the state.

Release date - 19:10, Saturday - 12, 23 August

Yadadri-Bhongir : Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao on Saturday said his newly launched Chenetha Health Card will cover outpatient services and many other services for weavers in the state.

Speaking during the Chenetha Varotsvalu celebrations in Pochampali, the minister said that weavers are prone to skin diseases and tuberculosis due to the nature of their work. Dyeing yarn by hand gives weavers skin disease.

Keeping this in mind, the state government should decide to provide Chenetha health card, which will also provide them with OP services. The Center withdrew the ICICI health insurance scheme for weavers, after which the state government started discussions with ICICI representatives to introduce a similar health insurance scheme. However, they are not interested, he said, following which discussions were held with the Arogyasree Trust and the Chenetha Health Card initiative was launched.

Explaining the various initiatives including Telangana Chenetha Maggam, Nethanaku Health Card, expansion of Nethanaku Insurance and 'Chenetha Mitra' program reviewed by the state government for the welfare of weavers, Rama Rao said he held review meetings with officials and they advised. After some leaders complained about gaps between programs and implementation, intelligence was sent to Pochampally, Munugode, Devarakonda and other places on the ground.

The minister urged weavers to adopt new technology and urged weavers to switch from pit looms to block looms. The state government has allocated Rs 40 crore for this purpose. Poachers should get a TSCO-issued ID card, which will help them benefit from welfare schemes meant for them, he added.

Announcing that the Pochampally Hand Weaving Garden, acquired by the state government for Rs 14.2 crore after its closure, would be developed to provide employment to the weavers, he said the profits would be shared among the weavers' families become Shooters will effectively become owners, he said, adding that plans are being made for a textile museum at Uppal Bhagay.

Stating that the Center scrapped the Handloom Development Board and the Powerloom Board, which hurt the interests of weavers in the country, the minister also pointed out that Narendra Modi's government had imposed 5 percent GST on handlooms.

Pointing out that a coalition government would come to power at the Center after the upcoming elections, he said Prime Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao should be supported to play a decisive role in national politics.

Earlier, the minister laid the foundation stone of the Pochampally Textile Park and unveiled the idol of Nethanna (weaver). He also laid the foundation of an integrated vegetable and meat market at Pochampali.