The Telangana government has announced new schemes and changes to existing schemes for the benefit of weavers on National Handloom Day. Handlooms and Textiles Minister K.T. Rama Rao made the announcements during the celebrations in Manneguda, Hyderabad. The new initiatives include schemes such as ‘Telangana Chenetha Maggam’, ‘Nethannaku Health Card’, extension of Nethannaku Bima, revised ‘Chenetha Mithra’, and an increase in ex-gratia for TESCO members. The Pochampally Handloom Park will also be revived by the government. Before the celebrations, KTR laid foundation stones for Handlooms Convention Centre and Handloom & Handicraft Museum at Uppal Bhagayath.
The Handloom & Handicraft Museum aims to preserve the history of handlooms by showcasing tools used in this craft since ancient times. The Handlooms Convention Center will host gatherings for handloom buyers and sellers, as well as conferences and research and development activities.
Under the Telangana Chenetha Maggam Scheme, all existing pit looms will be replaced with frame looms. Each loom replacement will cost Rs. 38,000, with a total budget of Rs. 40.50 crores. Health cards with an annual coverage of Rs. 25,000 will be issued to weavers, and the existing Nethannaku Bima will be extended to weavers aged between 59-75 years by integrating it with the Nethannaku Cheyutha Scheme. The ex-gratia amount for TESCO members will also be increased from Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 25,000.
Under the revised Chenetha Mithra scheme, Rs. 3000 will be directly deposited into the accounts of weavers per month per loom. Previously, a 50% subsidy was provided for the purchase of yarn, dyes, and chemicals, but some workers faced issues with invoice uploading and the condition to buy yarn through NHDC or NHDC approved depots. To address this, the Minister announced the direct deposit of Rs. 3000 per month per loom into the accounts of handloom workers.
During the celebrations, Ministers KTR and V Srinivas Goud presented Konda Laxman Bapuji awards and handed over cheques to beneficiaries of various schemes.
