Hyderabad: The Telangana government has issued administrative approval for an additional ₹16.27 crore to support loan waivers for handloom weavers. Minister for Agriculture, Handlooms and Textiles Tummala Nageshwar Rao announced this on Wednesday.
This new funding follows an earlier disbursement of ₹33 crore for the same purpose. Consequently, the total loan waiver assistance stands at ₹49.27 crore. Loans up to ₹1 lakh, taken by weavers between April 1, 2017, and March 31, 2024, will be cleared. These measures will directly benefit 6,784 handloom workers.
₹960 crore earmarked for handloom welfare since Congress took office
The Minister said that since the Congress government assumed power, nearly ₹960 crore has been allocated toward handloom welfare. To ensure continued employment, he directed all government departments to procure textiles exclusively from the Telangana State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (TESCO). So far, orders worth ₹896 crore have been placed.
Tummala also stated that work continuity for 30,000 power looms is being ensured through the Indira Mahila Shakti saree initiative. Additionally, the Handloom Abhayahastham scheme is being implemented with an outlay of ₹150 crore.
As part of clearing dues from the previous administration, ₹290 crore under the Nethanna Cheyutha scheme has been credited to workers’ accounts. Further measures include sourcing textiles from handloom cooperatives. Additionally, the government is organising exhibitions to promote their products.
This year, ₹19 crore in working capital has been approved for 78 cooperative societies via district cooperative banks. Tummala reiterated the state’s commitment to the economic empowerment of handloom weavers across Telangana.