<p>Bengaluru: In the last five years, 51 weavers have died by suicide in the state, Textiles Minister Shivanand Patil told the Legislative Council on Tuesday. </p>.<p>Taking part in a debate on the issue, Congress member Umashree demanded the government to bring in some permanent compensation scheme even for weavers, in case of deaths due to debt.</p>.<p>“Like farmers, the government must introduce some scheme even for the weavers to provide them compensation when they end their lives due to debt,” she urged.</p>.<p>Minister Patil said there are no such schemes in the department, but the government has given compensation to the families of the weavers from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.</p>.<p>“In 2020-21 and 2021-22, we have given compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to 25 weavers families from the Chief Minister Relief Fund,” the minister told the House.</p>.<p>Following the reply, Umashree demanded the government even to consider power loom weavers and not just hand loom workers while giving compensation.</p>.<p>The minister clarified, “For power looms, the government is giving subsidy up to Rs 2 crore and we cannot extend compensation to them.”</p>.<p><strong>Not good, says Umashree</strong></p>.<p>When the members started insisting the minister to consider power looms for compensation, he asked Umashree to accompany him for a meeting with the chief minister, saying that she is dear to the chief minister.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Umashree objected to his statement and said, “It is not good if you keep saying I am dear to the chief minister.”</p>
<p>Bengaluru: In the last five years, 51 weavers have died by suicide in the state, Textiles Minister Shivanand Patil told the Legislative Council on Tuesday. </p>.<p>Taking part in a debate on the issue, Congress member Umashree demanded the government to bring in some permanent compensation scheme even for weavers, in case of deaths due to debt.</p>.<p>“Like farmers, the government must introduce some scheme even for the weavers to provide them compensation when they end their lives due to debt,” she urged.</p>.<p>Minister Patil said there are no such schemes in the department, but the government has given compensation to the families of the weavers from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.</p>.<p>“In 2020-21 and 2021-22, we have given compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to 25 weavers families from the Chief Minister Relief Fund,” the minister told the House.</p>.<p>Following the reply, Umashree demanded the government even to consider power loom weavers and not just hand loom workers while giving compensation.</p>.<p>The minister clarified, “For power looms, the government is giving subsidy up to Rs 2 crore and we cannot extend compensation to them.”</p>.<p><strong>Not good, says Umashree</strong></p>.<p>When the members started insisting the minister to consider power looms for compensation, he asked Umashree to accompany him for a meeting with the chief minister, saying that she is dear to the chief minister.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Umashree objected to his statement and said, “It is not good if you keep saying I am dear to the chief minister.”</p>