Telangana govt plans big to help weavers

Telangana government will come out with a comprehensive policy to help handloom and powerloom weavers and workers lead a comfortable life, said Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

He said that adequate funds would be allocated to help the community particularly handloom workers in Siricilla and Pochampally . A policy will be framed for promoting Narayanpet, Gadwal and Pochampally sarees as they enjoy international reputation and demand.

Powerlooms will be upgraded on par with the Rapier looms to improve quality and production. The government will ensure each worker earns a monthly income of Rs 15,000 and will put in place a thrift scheme to encourage savings.

Uniforms for schoolchildren, blankets and cloth needed for government hostels will be procured from the weavers in the state. This step will ensure adequate work for the handloom and powerloom sectors in the state. Also subsidies will be given on yarn and chemicals.

The CM announced that an apparel park will be set up in Siricilla and the Siricilla powerlooms will be integrated with the Warangal textile park.
The government will plan a three-pronged strategy for the Padmashali community as there is a need to encourage such art.

Each powerloom has been advised to produce a different type of cloth, design, size and texture. The silk and Ikkat sarees produced in Narayanpet, Gadwal and Pochampally have a good reputation. In the past people used to go to Kanchi for wedding sarees and now they are going to Pochampally and it is a matter of pride for them.