Launched on 1st June 2004 by the Department of Handlooms & Textiles, Government of Andhra Pradesh, this scheme is designed to provide immediate financial support and rehabilitation to the families or next of kin of weavers who commit suicide due to weaving-related economic distress. Causes include indebtedness, lack of employment in weaving/processing, harassment related to handlooms or the delivery of finished cloth, and the inability to provide a livelihood for family members, which ultimately leads to despair.
Benefits
Financial Assistance
- Ex-Gratia Payment:
- ₹1,00,000/- is provided as an ex-gratia payment to the family/next of kin of the deceased weaver.
- Loan Settlement:
- An additional amount of up to ₹50,000/- is provided to settle loans with creditors as a one-time settlement.
- Disbursement Method:
- The ex-gratia amount is deposited in a joint bank account of the Assistant Director (Handlooms & Textiles) of the concerned district and the legal heir.
- Loan settlements are paid after proper acknowledgement to the entitled person(s) with no further liabilities on the deceased family.
Rehabilitation Package
- Child Education:
- Admission of children in Social Welfare schools and hostels.
- Housing:
- Allotment of houses under the Indira Awaas Yojana Scheme.
- Economic Support:
- Support under various government schemes.
- Social Security:
- Pensions and other social security measures.
- Weaving Operations:
- Future weaving operations and marketing of cloth produced by the family are to be decided by the territorial officer of the Handlooms and Textiles Department in consultation with the District Magistrate Officer of the Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative.
Preventive Measures
- Counselling Services:
- A helpline is operational at every Collectorate to provide counselling and support to weavers in distress.
- Priority in Ongoing Schemes:
- Cases of weavers in distress will receive preference in accessing benefits under ongoing government schemes related to weaving.
Eligibility
- Cause of Death:
- The scheme applies to families of weavers who commit suicide due to weaving-related economic distress such as:
- Indebtedness.
- Lack of employment in weaving/processing.
- Harassment by fellow villagers regarding handlooms or delivery of finished cloth.
- Inability to provide livelihood to family members, leading to despair.
- The scheme applies to families of weavers who commit suicide due to weaving-related economic distress such as:
- Time Frame:
- The suicide must have occurred on or after 1st April 1997.
- Prior Assistance:
- The family should not have received any relief or family assistance under this scheme previously.
Application Process
Offline Process
- Submission of Application:
- The distressed family members of the deceased weaver must submit an application with full particulars to the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) having jurisdiction over the area where the deceased was residing.
- Verification Process:
- The RDO forwards the application to a verification committee.
- The committee, comprising officials such as the R.D.O./Sub Collector, Deputy Superintendent of Police, and the Assistant Director (H&T) of the district, will verify the case.
- The committee establishes the correlation between weaving-related operations, economic distress, and the resultant suicide.
- Approval and Disbursement:
- Once verification is complete, the ex-gratia amount and the loan settlement package are processed.
- The ex-gratia amount of ₹1,00,000/- is deposited in a joint bank account, and the loan settlement (up to ₹50,000/-) is disbursed directly to the creditors upon proper acknowledgement.
Documents Required
- Verification Documents:
- A committee will verify and certify the occurrence of suicide and establish the link with weaving-related economic distress.
- Supporting Documents may include:
- Death Certificate.
- Proof of relationship (e.g., family card or legal heir certificate).
- Documentation evidencing the weaving-related economic distress (if available).
- Identity proofs and bank account details of the nominee/legal heir.
- Any other documents as required by the verification committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How does the government plan to prevent future suicidal deaths among weavers?
A dedicated helpline is operational at every Collectorate to provide counselling and support. Additionally, distressed weavers are given priority in accessing benefits under ongoing government schemes related to weaving. -
How does the government ensure transparency in the disbursement of funds under the special package?
Disbursement is processed through a verification committee, and funds are deposited in a joint bank account along with proper documentation and acknowledgements. -
What is the role of the District Medical Officer (DMO) in the rehabilitation process?
Although not explicitly mentioned, the DMO may be involved in verifying health and counselling needs during rehabilitation. -
How does the government address the issue of social humiliation faced by weavers?
The scheme’s preventive measures include counselling support and preferential access to existing government schemes that can improve their social and economic standing. -
How does the government plan to provide economic support to distressed weaver families?
Economic support is provided through ex-gratia payments, loan settlements, and various rehabilitation measures such as housing, education, and employment support. -
What is the role of community elders in the verification process?
Community elders may be consulted by the verification committee to provide contextual evidence of the economic distress and social conditions leading to suicide. -
What is the significance of the one-time settlement in the special package?
The one-time loan settlement (up to ₹50,000/-) aims to clear outstanding debts, providing immediate financial relief without burdening the deceased’s family further. -
What is the procedure for distressed families to apply for relief under the special package?
Families must submit a detailed application to the Revenue Divisional Officer, who will forward it to the verification committee for assessment and subsequent approval of the relief package. -
How are the children of deceased weavers supported under the rehabilitation package?
The rehabilitation package includes measures such as admission to social welfare schools and hostels, allotment of houses under the Indira Awaas Yojana, and access to government economic support and pensions. -
What is the time frame for the application of the special package to weavers’ suicides?
The scheme applies to suicides that occurred on or after 1st April 1997. -
Who can report the likelihood of suicidal acts by weavers to the authorities?
Local community members, family members, or village elders can report cases of distress to the designated helpline or local authorities. -
What preventive measures are suggested to avoid suicidal deaths among weavers?
Preventive measures include the establishment of counselling helplines at Collectorates and prioritizing distressed weaver cases in government welfare schemes. -
How are the outstanding liabilities of deceased weavers settled under the special package?
Outstanding liabilities are settled through a one-time loan settlement of up to ₹50,000/- paid directly to creditors, as per the verification committee’s acknowledgment. -
What measures are included in the rehabilitation package for distressed weaver families?
The rehabilitation package offers educational support for children, housing under the Indira Awaas Yojana, economic support through government schemes, and assistance with future weaving operations and marketing. -
How is the ex-gratia amount of ₹1,00,000/- deposited for the families of deceased weavers?
The ex-gratia amount is deposited in a joint bank account held by the Assistant Director (H&T) of the concerned district and the legal heir, ensuring proper oversight and accountability.