The textiles and handlooms minister Kollu Ravindra at the inauguration of the National Handlooms Expo along with irrigation minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao on Sunday assured that government will continue its support to both handlooms as well as power looms for which the Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned Rs70 crore to setup a mega cluster for comprehensive development of handlooms in Guntur and Prakasam districts.

Ravindra reminded that chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had already waived Rs110 crore worth loans to weavers in spite of the state being in financial crisis.

He said that the government has released Rs5.33 crore for 20 percent subsidy on purchasing yarn, colors and chemicals for 171 handloom cooperative societies. Further, Rs4 crore has been sanctioned for ‘Pavala Vaddi’ loans to 166 handloom cooperative societies through APCOB.

The government has also been providing power at 50 percent subsidy to power looms and till date Rs7.02 crore has been paid to power utilities.

According to irrigation minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, it is the responsibility of the people to support the weavers by patronising handloom sarees, dress material and others products with both traditional and modern design.

Till date government has also facilitated 15 district level handloom expos, 5 special handloom expos and two national-level exhibitions including the current one, such exhibitions provide an opportunity for the weavers to expand their market and sell their ware. The National Handlooms expo will continue till January 1