KTR Calls for Revival of Handloom Welfare Schemes, Writes Open Letter to CM Revanth Reddy

On the occasion of National Handloom Day, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) urged Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to restore welfare schemes for handloom workers and take immediate steps to protect the livelihoods of weavers across the state.

In an open letter, KTR alleged that several initiatives introduced during the previous BRS government for the welfare of handloom workers were discontinued after the Congress government came to power. He criticised the state government for allegedly failing to implement promises made to weavers during the elections.

KTR said the handloom sector represents the cultural heritage and identity of Telangana, and stressed that National Handloom Day should go beyond celebrations by ensuring financial security and sustainable support for weaver families.

KTR highlighted various welfare measures implemented during the tenure of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). He said schemes such as ‘Nethanna Bima’ and ‘Nethannaku Cheyutha’ provided crucial support to thousands of handloom workers.

Under Nethanna Bima, around 55,072 weavers were provided ₹5 lakh life insurance coverage, with the state government paying the insurance premium. He said the Nethannaku Cheyutha scheme encouraged savings among workers by combining their monthly contributions with government assistance.

He also pointed out that handloom cooperative societies received low-interest loans and 20% marketing rebates during the BRS regime. Government orders for products such as Bathukamma sarees and school uniforms were allocated to weavers to ensure continuous employment opportunities.

KTR alleged that welfare schemes have been stalled under the present government, with pending payments, loans and incentives affecting handloom communities. He claimed that government orders meant for weavers were being shifted to private agencies, causing financial difficulties for thousands of families.

He demanded the implementation of Congress’ election commitments, including ‘Chenetha Bharosa’, which promised ₹18,000 annual assistance for weavers, ₹6,000 support for allied workers, loan waivers up to ₹1 lakh, cooperative society credit relief and reimbursement of the 5% GST burden on handloom products.

KTR also criticised the BJP-led Central government, alleging that the abolition of the All India Handloom Board, Handicrafts Board and Powerloom Board, withdrawal of the house-cum-work shed scheme, and GST on handloom products had weakened the sector.

Calling for a political approach beyond party lines, KTR appealed to the government to restore discontinued schemes, clear pending dues and provide stronger support to weavers. He stated that “handloom survives only when weavers survive”, emphasising the need to protect Telangana’s traditional craft and the families dependent on it.