Hyderabad, Aug 7 (UNI)
Telangana Agriculture, Cooperation, Marketing and Handlooms & Textiles Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Friday said the state government is committed to the welfare of both farmers and handloom weavers, with a special focus on reviving the handloom sector through welfare measures, modernisation and enhanced market support.
Participating in the state-level National Handloom Day celebrations at People's Plaza, Necklace Road, the Minister inaugurated a handloom textile exhibition featuring over 100 stalls and felicitated recipients of the prestigious Konda Laxman Bapuji Handloom Awards. The exhibition will remain open to the public from August 7 to 16.
Speaking on the occasion, Tummala said handloom weaving is not merely a livelihood but a symbol of India's culture and heritage. He said the government is working to restore the glory of traditional weaving while equipping the younger generation with modern skills through the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT).
He noted that Telangana's renowned products, including Gadwal sarees, Pochampally Ikat, Narayanpet textiles, Siddipet Gollabhama sarees, Warangal durries and Karimnagar bedsheets, have earned global recognition.
Highlighting the government's initiatives, the Minister said Rs 980 crore has been released to strengthen the handloom sector, including Rs 500 crore in pending arrears. He said the government has implemented schemes such as Nethanna Podupu, Nethannaku Bhadratha, Nethanna Bharosa and Nethannaku Cheyutha, besides waiving handloom loans worth Rs 49.27 crore and providing insurance, annual financial assistance and other welfare benefits to weavers and allied workers.
Tummala said the government has also restored democratic functioning in handloom cooperative societies by conducting elections after a decade and assured that it would continue to support weavers in welfare, marketing, modernization and social security.
Ministers Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), senior officials, handloom award recipients, representatives of cooperative societies and a large number of weavers attended the celebrations.
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