Free power for handloom, power loom weavers from April 1
In a major relief for the weaving community, the State government on Thursday announced free electricity for handloom and power loom weavers from April 1, a move aimed at cutting production costs and supporting over one lakh families.
Under the scheme, handloom weavers will get 200 units of free power per month, while power loom operators will receive 500 units. The scheme will benefit 1,03,534 families, including 93,000 handloom households and 10,534 power loom families.
Handlooms and textiles minister S. Savitha said the scheme would cost the State around Rs 85 crore annually. She said handloom weavers would save about Rs 720 per month, or Rs 8,640 a year, while power loom operators would save nearly Rs 1,800 per month, or Rs 21,600 annually.
Highlighting welfare measures, the minister said pensions of Rs 4,000 are being given to weavers above 50 years of age, benefiting 87,280 persons. The hike from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 provides each beneficiary an additional Rs 12,000 a year.
She said Rs 7 crore in pending dues had been cleared to handloom cooperative societies through APCO in the past two months. The government has released Rs 1.67 crore as the first instalment of the Thrift Fund this year. A 15 per cent yarn subsidy is being provided through the National Handloom Development Corporation, and processing charges have been increased.
To ensure year-round employment, agreements have been signed with Co-optex, Tata Taneria and Birla Adya. Expansion of ready-made garment sales through APCO and online platforms has also created more job opportunities.
A Unity Mall is coming up in Visakhapatnam at a cost of Rs 172 crore. Textile parks are planned in Emmiganur, Rayadurgam, Mylavaram and Pamidi, while a mega textile park will be established in Mangalagiri.
A mega cluster is under construction in Dharmavaram at a cost of ₹30 crore, and another is planned in Pithapuram. Ten mini-clusters are also being set up across the State. The minister said Andhra Pradesh won four handloom awards under the ODOP scheme and secured a gold medal for textile development.
“Our goal is to ensure a dignified and secure livelihood for every weaver,” Ms. Savitha said.