AP Govt Plans Credit-Based Yarn Supply to Reduce Handloom Weavers’ Financial Burden

The Andhra Pradesh government is stepping up efforts to reduce the financial burden on handloom weavers and ensure them a dignified livelihood, Handlooms Minister S. Savita said. The government is working on a mechanism to provide the yarn required for producing handloom textiles as an investment loan, enabling weavers to avoid the immediate cost of purchasing raw materials. Savita directed officials to formulate the system so that yarn can be supplied to weavers as credit. Under the proposed arrangement, after APCO purchases the finished handloom products, the value of the yarn supplied would be deducted from the payment, with the remaining amount being paid to the weavers.

Savita reviewed the welfare and development programmes being implemented by the Handlooms and Textiles Department and the Khadi and Village Industries Development Board at the State Secretariat in Amaravati on Wednesday. Officials briefed her on the progress of various schemes and initiatives being implemented under their respective departments.

The minister said the government was implementing the ‘Nethannala Sevalo’ scheme to support handloom workers by providing free electricity along with ₹25,000 financial assistance. In the first phase, 71,536 weavers received ₹25,000 each under the scheme. Another 36,632 applications have been received from eligible people seeking assistance. Savita directed officials to scrutinise the applications and complete the identification of eligible beneficiaries within 10 days. She also instructed them to ensure that the second phase of financial assistance is released as quickly as possible.

The minister also called for efforts to increase sales of handloom and handicraft products through APCO and Lepakshi showrooms. With several festivals approaching, she directed officials to organise discount sales to attract more customers and improve the market for traditional products.

Savita announced that an APCO showroom will be opened in Penukonda on September 6. She also directed officials to take steps to establish APCO and Lepakshi showrooms at Bhogapuram Airport, creating another sales platform for handloom and handicraft products.

She further instructed officials to conduct extensive village-level awareness programmes about self-employment units being provided through the Khadi and Village Industries Development Board. The minister stressed the need to create year-round employment opportunities for handloom workers and artisans.