Telangana has sanctioned Rs. 338 cr for the welfare of handloom weavers. It is creating a brand value for the State’s handloom products and has waived off the loans of handloom weavers, State Finance Minister T Harish Rao told the State assembly recently. Cotton and chemicals required for weaving were also provided at half rates by the government, he said.
Further, the government placed orders for 95.25 lakh pieces of Bathukamma sarees and school uniforms. The government has also created direct employment to 20,000 handloom workers, which created 461 cr orders. Accordingly, the income of power loom workers increased from Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month. The State Government released Rs. 96.43 cr under the Cheyutha Scheme to the weavers, an official report quoted him as saying.
Under this scheme, handloom workers are able to save 8 percent from their income and government adds an additional 8 percent to the same. Handloom worker can draw the amount from the bank only after saving that amount for three years.
