Patna: (ABN) The Emirate of Ahle Ansar (Alhind), Patna, has sent a memorandum to the Government of Bihar, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating economic condition of weavers in the state. The memorandum draws the government's attention to the current plight of the weaver community.

The officials of the Emirate of Ahle Ansar stated in the memorandum that weavers in the state are currently forced to live in extreme poverty. Due to limited job opportunities, a large number of weavers have been forced to abandon their traditional occupation and take up labor work, which not only affects their economic condition but also leads to the decline of the centuries-old handicraft and weaving tradition.

The memorandum demands that a Weaver Commission be set up to assess the actual condition of weavers and find a permanent solution to their problems, so that a solid policy can be formulated based on ground realities.

The Emirate of Ahle Ansar, citing historical context, stated that the Bihar State Handloom Weaver Co-operative Society Ltd., Patna, was established in 1948 to promote weavers. Later, in the 1960s, the Bihar State Handloom Weavers Co-operative Union Ltd. was provided land on a 99-year lease by the state government in Rajendra Nagar, Patna. In 1986, the then Chief Minister, the late Bindeshwari Dubey, made announcements to strengthen the handloom sector for the promotion of weavers, but these institutions and schemes have since declined.

The memorandum emphasizes that if timely government intervention is not made, the handloom industry in Bihar may be completely destroyed, which will directly affect the livelihood of millions of weaver families.

The Emirate of Ahle Ansar has strongly urged the Minister of Industry to take immediate and effective measures to protect the interests of the weaver community, restore employment, and revive the handloom industry.

Additionally, the Emirate of Ahle Ansar, Alhind, Patna, highlighted the important and historical role of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in promoting the handloom and weaver industry in Bihar, stating that the Nitish government has taken several solid and notable steps to improve the economic condition of weavers and support the industry.

According to a statement issued by the Emirate of Ahle Ansar, in 2005, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took a major step in favor of weavers by waiving off the dues of approximately 15,000 weavers, providing significant relief to the weaver community. The statement also mentioned that the outstanding electricity bills of the Bhagalpur Handloom Mill were also waived, significantly reducing the financial pressure on handloom institutions.

Similarly, the State Handloom Corporation was declared an apex institution, through which government purchase orders were issued, ensuring a guaranteed market for weavers' products. The Bihar government provided a substantial amount of Rs 4 crore for the promotion of the weaver industry. Additionally, a notification was issued making it mandatory for all government offices and hospitals in the state to use handloom products, benefiting local weavers.

The statement further stated that weavers were provided with loan facilities and working capital arrangements to expand their business, and raw materials were also distributed to a large number of handloom weavers. Special efforts were made to involve more women in the handloom industry, resulting in women gaining economic independence and gender equality being strengthened. Today, women's significant participation and leadership can be seen in handloom cooperative societies.

The President of the Emirate of Ahle Ansar, Maulana Shahid Ansari, said that Nitish Kumar's measures are not only a beacon of hope for the weaver community but also a milestone in the protection and promotion of Bihar's traditional handloom industry. He appealed to the government to expand these schemes and provide weavers with economic stability on a permanent basis.