Telangana IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao today lauded the state's handloom workers for their work and stated that they were recognised all over the country.
Speaking after participating in a program organised on the occasion of National Handloom Day, that was held at the People's Plaza on P V Marg, the minister said that the TRS government had taken many steps to support the handloom sector, including to improve its the profitability by launching an
e-commerce selling facility for it.
He also visited a handloom exhibition and offered aid of Rs 30 crore to the beneficiaries of the Chenetha Mitra (yarn subsidy) scheme and the Cheyutha scheme during the program.
Later, elaborating further on the government's efforts to support the weavers in the state, Rao claimed, "We have been implementing a welfare plan specifically aimed at supporting handloom workers and weavers. As a result, each weaver can now earn monthly wages of at least Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 - we implement several programs for the benefit of the sector's workers. For instance, we commission traditional Bathukamma sarees on a yearly basis and have implemented schemes that allow them to produce school uniforms as well. To motivate them, since 2018, we have also been honouring the best handloom workers in the state with awards. This year, 31 of the best workers have won prizes of Rs 25,000 each. Additionally, we have increased spending on the sector to Rs 1,200 crore from the pre-2014 rate of Rs 70 crore."
"However, our efforts alone will not suffice without the support of the public. Therefore, I would urge them to encourage handloom workers as well," he added.
KTR then discussed the role that the government e-commerce portal for Telangana's handloom products was playing in boosting the sector further, and stated, "Traditional weaves and materials like double Ikat, Jari, Gollabhama, as well as Armur silk outfits are popular with people everywhere. Recognising this, our government has been selling these high-quality handloom products through an e-commerce portal, the Golconda portal, in an effort to strengthen the handloom sector. We have used technology to attract consumers to purchase these products. New designs and innovative patterns are showcased at fashion shows to broaden the reach of these products. Besides this, we offer a subsidy of 50% to the handloom workers on raw materials used for cloth production under the Chenetha Mitra and Cheyutha schemes. Once again, I would urge the people of the state to do their part to promote handloom products by purchasing them."
The leader also took a pledge to wear handloom clothes himself and to encourage others to do so as well. He called upon the employees of the government and the private sectors, and the state's youth to wear handloom clothes, pointing out that this would enable the handloom workers to earn a livelihood.