The Andhra Pradesh government will soon finalize guidelines for GST reimbursement to handloom weavers, announced Handloom and Textiles Minister S. Savitha during an assembly session on Tuesday. She emphasized the state’s commitment to revitalizing the handloom sector and ensuring year-round employment for weavers.
Government Measures for Weavers' Welfare
Minister Savitha outlined a series of initiatives aimed at uplifting the handloom sector:
- Handloom Exhibitions: Plans to promote Andhra Pradesh’s handloom products through international exhibitions.
- Rebates and Concessions: APCO has introduced a 20-30% rebate on handloom garments, alongside a 40% discount on yarn, dyes, and chemicals under the thrift scheme. Additionally, a 50% tariff concession has been granted for power loom units.
- Electricity Subsidies: Free electricity up to 200 units for handloom weavers and 500 units for power loom workers.
Criticism of Previous Regime
Savitha criticized the YSRCP government for neglecting the welfare of weavers, alleging inadequate marketing support and claiming that many handloom workers resorted to suicide under the previous regime. She asserted that the "Nethanna Hastham" program primarily benefited YSRCP supporters, sidelining genuine weavers.
New Initiatives Under Chandrababu Naidu’s Leadership
Highlighting the proactive approach of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Savitha mentioned:
- Old-age pensions for weavers aged over 50 years.
- A forthcoming health insurance scheme for weavers.
- Setting up 10 new handloom clusters in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group.
Collaboration with Stakeholders
The government plans to organize a meeting of buyers and sellers to devise further schemes and expand the market reach for handloom products. Minister Nara Lokesh has established a “Weaver Shala” in Mangalagiri, with similar initiatives planned in Vizianagaram and Kurnool.
These measures reflect the government’s determination to address the challenges faced by handloom weavers and to restore Andhra Pradesh’s prominence in the textile sector.
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