Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh BC, EWS Welfare, Handloom and Textiles Minister S Savita said on Wednesday that the government has decided to set up a mega handloom park adjacent to Auto Nagar in Mangalagiri on the lines of a similar one at Tamil Nadu.

She mentioned that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh are taking steps to set up the park as part of the target of providing 365 days of allowance to the handloom weavers. Minister Savita along with Handloom and Textiles Commissioner Rekha Rani inspected 10.80 acres of land adjacent to Autonagar in Mangalagiri on Wednesday.

Some handloom workers had committed suicide. During the previous TDP rule, the handloom weavers were benefitted a lot. In 2014-19, several schemes were introduced for handloom weavers.” she said. The minister recalled that subsidy was given for the purchase of yarn and free electricity was provided and apart from these, mudra loans and thrift scheme have been implemented.

Target of 365 days of work for weavers

Minister Savita said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and minister Lokesh are determined to provide financial security to the weavers and as part of this, steps are being taken to provide financial support to the government and provide 365 days of work.

She stated that in the last seven months, handloom bazaars have been set up in the state and several cities of the country and steps have been taken to increase the sales of handloom fabrics. “At the same time, a new textile policy has been initiated in the state.

Ten new clusters will be set up across the state with weavers' halls. Steps are being taken to build handloom and textiles parks. A unity mall will be set up on five acres of land in Visakhapatnam with the help of the central government.” she announced.