The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani over the pitiable condition in which TB-affected weavers live in lohata area in Varanasi leading to a health crisis.
Reacting to a new items that appeared in The Pioneer on Sunday "Benarasi Death Net" the Assistant registrar law, NHRC issued the notice (6993/24/2014) asking the Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh to give a reply within four weeks as what action Government would take for the rehabilitation of these TB -affected weavers. A Human rights activist and Secretary General, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights lenin Raghuvanshi had lodged a complaint with the NHRC and sought Government intervention to improve the condition of these people.
The report talks about a cluster of villages that are engaged in weaving Benarasi sarees are in the midest of serious health crisis. More than 1 lakh people from this once prosperous region have fallen prey to TB. Poor living conditions, working in dark rooms and constant inhalation of minute silk threads have weakened the lungs of these artisans. "Taking note of this report the Commission is issuing a notice asking Chief Secretary to give report within 24 hours. In case of default, the Commission take action at it deems proper," the NHRC notice said.