DHH organizes awareness camp on Weavers’ Credit Card

GANGTOK, 19 Jan: The Directorate of Handlooms and Handicrafts, Sikkim organized an awareness camp for Weavers Credit Card on Wednesday which was sponsored by the Office of the Development Commissioner [Handlooms], Ministry of Textiles, informs an official press release.
The programme was attended by officials from financial institutions viz. LDM [SBI] Regional Office, TD Bhutia, AGM [RBI] Gangtok, Anil Yadav, Manager NABARD, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors and around 50 weavers from DHH and NGOs.
The programme started with the welcome address by Dy Director [Marketing and Sales], Karma Samten Bhutia, followed by a report on Revival, Reform and Restructuring of Handloom Sectors by Dy Director East, Chozang Tshering Lepcha, the release informs.
While, Assistant Director, Jigme Pintso Bhutia highlighted the important aspects of the comprehensive package for handloom sector. Assistant Director, General Insurance, Sonam Nima Bhutia, spelt out the Health Insurance and Life Insurance schemes facilities provided by Government of India for the weavers.
LDM [SBI], TD Bhutia mentioned about the application of Weavers’ Credit Card and the accounting procedure of loan components like repayment of loans, subsidy on interest, margin money, etc.
RBI Manager, Anil Yadav, highlighted about the current schemes and called upon everyone to make use of the facilities extended by the office of the Development Commissioner [Handlooms], Ministery of Textiles, and not to misuse the loan amount. He also added that as of now no such guidelines/instructions have been received but would make sure that the same would be implemented as soon as they received guidelines from the Government of India, the release mentions.
The NABARD Manager spoke about the number of schemes carried out by NABARD like Kishan Credit Card and Agriculture Loan, etc. A message from Director DHH, Ganga D Pradhan, highlighting the importance of the various schemes under the sponsorship of the DC Handlooms and Handicrafts was conveyed to the audience and also the importance of the financial package, including loan waiver and availability of fresh loans, employment opportunity, economic independence and sustainability growth.
The comprehensive handloom package regarding availability of hank yarn at subsidized rates, interest subsidies and margin money was also explained to the gathering, the release adds.
A brief interaction between the weavers and concerned officers was held and the programme concluded with the vote of thanks conveyed by Assistant Director [East]. Jigme Pintso Bhutia.