YS Sharmila Accuses Centre, Andhra Governments of Failing Handloom Weavers

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President YS Sharmila extended National Handloom Day greetings to handloom weavers and their families, describing the sector as a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage and traditional craftsmanship. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she praised weavers for their exceptional skill and creativity and urged people to support the community by choosing handloom products.

While conveying her wishes, Sharmila also expressed concern over the condition of the handloom sector, alleging that weavers in Andhra Pradesh have been facing severe hardships for the past 12 years. She claimed that the Central and State governments had failed to safeguard the welfare of nearly 90,000 handloom families.

The Congress leader criticised the Central Government, alleging that the 5% to 18% GST on handloom products had pushed weavers into financial distress. She also accused both the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government and the current Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government of failing to fulfil promises related to a comprehensive handloom policy, financial assistance, subsidy restoration, welfare measures, allotment of three cents of land, and ₹10 lakh ex gratia for the families of deceased weavers.

Placing several demands before the Centre and the State, Sharmila called for the complete withdrawal of GST on handloom products. She also sought a full waiver of loans taken by handloom cooperative societies and urged the government to immediately release the ₹203 crore in pending subsidy dues.

In addition, she demanded that loan waiver benefits be extended to handloom workers, that raw materials required for weaving be supplied at subsidised prices, and that reservations for 11 categories of handloom products be implemented effectively. She further called for the revival of the Handloom Board at the national level, stating that these measures were essential to protect the livelihoods of weavers and strengthen the traditional handloom industry.