CM Naidu vows to double handloom weavers’ income, announces free power

Mangalagiri: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu stated that the coalition government is committed to doubling the income of handloom weavers across the State.

He announced an annual financial assistance of Rs 25,000 per handloom family under the Nethanna Bharosa scheme. He also spoke about implementing the government’s election promise of providing free electricity from this month.

Participating in the 11th National Handloom Day celebrations in Mangalagiri, Guntur district, on Thursday, the CM visited the Weavershala, set up earlier with the support of Minister for Education and IT, Nara Lokesh. He interacted with the weavers and reviewed their products before taking part in a public meeting.

200 units of free electricity for weavers from this month

The CM reiterated that the promises made during elections are being implemented with empathy towards the struggles of weavers.

Starting this month, 200 units of free electricity will be provided to handlooms and 500 units to power looms. This initiative will benefit 93,000 families operating handlooms and 50,000 families with power looms for Rs 190 crores annually.

He added that TDP was the first to introduce pensions for weavers from the age of 50, benefitting 92,724 families. With social pensions increased to Rs 4,000 per month, Rs 546 crores are being spent annually on weavers’ pensions alone.

‘Telugu land has a treasure of handloom heritage’

Expressing joy upon seeing the artisans, the CM praised the contribution of weavers in bringing global recognition to Indian heritage, saying, “Our handloom weavers possess the rare skill to fold a six-yard saree to fit in a matchbox. If the farmers fed us, the weavers civilised us. We have several handloom hubs with unique qualities, like Mangalagiri, Dharmavaram, Venkatagiri, Uppada, Pedana, Chirala, Ponduru, Madanapalle, Nandavaram, Kodumur and Emmiganur. Gandhiji admired the Ponduru Khadi; Pedana’s Kalamkari enchanted the world. British traders once took our weavers’ goods to sell in England. Wearing Khadi and spinning thread during the freedom struggle symbolised patriotism.”

GST on handloom products to be reimbursed

Despite the fiscal crisis caused by the previous government’s reckless borrowing, the welfare of handloom workers remains the AP government’s top priority, the CM said.

The negligence of the YSRCP regime had pushed the sector into deep distress. APCO procurement was stopped, and subsidies on yarn and dyes were withdrawn before 2019.

“As promised in our manifesto, we will reimburse the 5 per cent GST levied on handloom products, costing the government Rs 15 crores annually. Additionally, we are establishing a Rs 5 crore thrift fund to benefit 5,386 handloom workers,” the CM said.

Handloom Museum in Amaravati

Reaffirming the NDA government’s unwavering support for weavers, the CM noted that master weavers and artisans in the State have achieved a turnover of Rs 1,375 crores.

A Handloom Museum will be set up in Amaravati. He announced that industrialist Suchitra Ella, who is passionate about promoting the handloom industry, has been appointed as an advisor.

Out of the nine awards received by the State under the ‘One District, One Product’ initiative, four were for the handloom sector. Handloom marketing is being expanded through ONDC, with 2,000 products already listed.

Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, five new handloom clusters are being set up in Mangalagiri, Venkatagiri, Uppada, Srikalahasti and Rajam at a cost of Rs 74 crores, benefitting 11,374 women weavers.

Official recognition of Pragada Kotaiah Jayanti

The CM announced that the government will officially observe the birth anniversary of Pragada Kotaiah, a pioneering handloom activist who led satyagrahas for weavers’ rights. A bronze statue of Kotaiah will be installed at the Handloom Circle near the NRI Hospital on the Vijayawada-Guntur national highway.

Inseparable bond between TDP and weavers

Recounting the TDP’s legacy, the CM recalled that in its very first year in power, former CM NT Rama Rao introduced subsidised sarees and dhotis to support weavers.

The handloom sector is second only to agriculture in terms of livelihood support in the State, with around 1,22,644 families being dependent on it.

“When in power, we uplifted you. In opposition, we fought for you,” he said.

Between 2014–2019, TDP waived Rs 110 crores in loans of handloom artisans and Rs 27 crores in loans to 55,500 workers at Rs 2 lakhs each. As many as 90,765 families received free electricity up to 100 units, and Rs 80 crores were spent giving a 50 per cent subsidy on power loom purchases.

CM Naidu on Lokesh’s choice of Mangalagiri

The CM noted that TDP had won the Mangalagiri seat only once since its inception and had advised Minister Nara Lokesh to consider other constituencies for contesting election.

Yet, he chose to contest again in Mangalagiri, where he had earlier lost by just 5,000 votes. This time, he won with a majority of 91,000 votes.

“While in opposition, he provided advanced looms to 873 weavers, established the Weavershala with 20 looms, and distributed clothing to 3,000 families, proof of his sincerity towards the poor and weavers,” the CM said. He further mentioned the appointments made under TDP and allies: Nandam Abbadayya as Padmasali Corporation Chairman, Kandula Nagarjuna as Director, Thammi Shetty Janakidevi as TTD Board Member, and Chillapalli Srinivas from Jana Sena as Chairman of APMICDC.

200 units of free electricity for salons

From its inception, the TDP has received strong support from Backward Classes.

While the TDP government provided 34 per cent reservations for BCs in local bodies, the previous YSRCP regime reduced it to 24 per cent.

The TDP introduced the Adarana scheme for BCs in united Andhra Pradesh and spent Rs 964 crores on tools under Adarana-2 post-2014.

Adarana-3 will be launched soon.

The alliance government will always stand with the underprivileged, he said. A budget allocation of Rs 47,456 crores has been made for BC welfare. Wages for priests serving in temples have been increased to Rs 25,000. 200 units of free electricity per month will be provided to salons, benefitting 40,000 Nayee Brahmin families.

As many as 10 per cent of liquor shop licenses and bar licenses have been reserved for toddy tappers.

Aid to fishermen

Under Matsyakars Evaseva Pathakam, Rs 20,000 in financial aid was provided to fishermen. As much as 10 per cent of quarry leases will be reserved for Vadderas. Dairy sector incentives will be provided for Yadavs. In the solar energy scheme, BCs will receive a subsidy of Rs 98,000 for 3-kilowatt installations. Over the next four years, Rs 2 lakh crores will be spent on BC welfare. “We will fight until 33 per cent reservation for BCs in legislatures is achieved,” the CM added.

‘BCs unshaken by past government’s intimidation’