The coalition government led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has decided to provide 200 units of power to weavers and 500 units of power to spinning looms from the 7th of this month under the free electricity scheme for weavers. This scheme, which will be implemented on the occasion of National Handloom Day, seems to be fulfilling another election promise of CM Chandrababu.
Handloom workers suffered in all ways due to the government’s refusal to help them for five years between 2019-24. Recognizing this fact, CM Chandrababu adhering to his promise took many decisions to benefit the weavers. A new textiles policy of Rs. 10,000 crores was brought with the aim of providing employment to weavers for 365 days. It was decided to provide employment to 1.51 lakh people through this policy.
The pension amount of 92,724 weavers was increased from Rs. 3,000 to Rs 4,000 under the NTR Bharosa Pension. In the first year, Rs. 370.89 crore was paid to the beneficiaries in the form of pensions. Rs. 5 crore was allocated for the Thrift Scheme for handloom weavers in 2024-25 and another Rs. 5 crore was allocated for the Thrift Scheme in 2025-26. Bank loans are being provided to cooperative societies with cash credit cards.
Skill development training programs were organized for weavers in five districts in the manufacture of new textiles in accordance with the tastes of today’s generation. Exhibitions were organized in seven cities of the country along with the state for the sale of handloom textiles. Handloom textiles are being delivered directly to the homes of consumers through this e-commerce led by APCO.
10 clusters were set up in 2024-25 under the National Handloom Development Programme. Loans were provided to handloom weavers through the Weavers’ Mudra Scheme. A 15 percent subsidy is being provided on yarn under the Raw Material Supply Scheme. Unity Mall is being built in Visakhapatnam at a cost of Rs. 172 crore.
Textile parks are being developed in Rayadurgam, Hindupur and Brandex, and Yemmiganur Textile Park is also being built. Tata Tannery, Adhyam Birla Group and Tamil Nadu-based Co-optex have also signed agreements to provide marketing for handloom products. Handloom women in self-help groups are being provided with yarn worth Rs. 10,000.
The coalition government has decided to set up weavers’ shops across the state. 50,000 weavers in the state rely on looms and 11,500 people rely on spinning looms for their livelihood. A key decision has been taken to implement a free electricity scheme for all of them. 200 units of looms and 500 units of spinning looms will be provided free of cost. For this, the government will have to bear a burden of Rs. 125 crore annually.
