Hyderabad: Extending greetings to handloom weavers and workers as well as members of the Padmashali community on the National Handloom Day, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said the unique art of Telangana handloom reflects the Indian art and culture. After the State formation, the government has been giving top priority to the development of the sector, he added.
“With the vision of the government and the efficiency of Minister KT Rama Rao, we have revived the handloom sector in the State, which was in decline during previous regimes,” he said. The government had taken steps to recognise and promote the importance of handloom products. In the wake of technological advances, the government is also giving priority to the welfare of weavers working in powerlooms.
In a statement issued here, the Chief Minister said the State government’s efforts for the welfare of handloom workers could instil confidence among the weaver community and had prevented them from committing suicides, which was a regular phenomenon during the previous regimes. Initiatives such as Bathukamma sarees and other subsidy schemes had been providing livelihood to weavers besides improving their income levels considerably ensuring financial stability. The government’s efforts had also boosted the morale and self-esteem of weavers, he said.
On the National Handloom Day, handloom artisans are being honoured with the Konda Laxman Bapuji awards for their craft and services to the sector. He said the government is encouraging the sector by organising exhibitions and fashion shows. “An insurance scheme for handloom workers will be implemented on par with Rythu Bima. Telangana is the only State in the country which gives pensions to weavers,” he stated.
Chandrashekhar Rao said the innovative schemes being implemented for handloom workers in the State — loan waiver, Nethannalaku Cheyutha, Chenetha Mithra, funds to handloom societies and subsidies for yarn, dyes and chemicals — are ideal for other States as well.
He was happy that the steps taken for the uplift of weavers were yielding good results. He said socio-economic, political and administrative interests of the Padmashali community were promoted by the State.