AP govt to bring policy paper on handloom sector

Addressing an interactive workshop with the representatives of the handloom sector here, the Chief Minister said his government released Rs 164 crore this year towards loan waiver scheme for the weavers.

"We will release another Rs 29 crore while Rs 104 crore will come from the Government of India under the Revival and Restructuring package," he added.

He asked the weavers to adopt innovative ways and catch up with technological advancements to improve their lot.

Union Minister of State for Textiles Panabaka Lakshmi said her ministry released a grant of Rs 90 crore to APCO, the handloom co-operative society of the state, which was the highest given to any state in the country.

"We are ready to release funds for construction of work sheds for handloom weavers. If the state government can integrate it with the housing schemes, weavers can build house-cum-work sheds," she said.

State Textiles Minister Prasad Kumar, legislators from various political parties, leaders of weavers' co-operative societies and officials of different departments were present.

The government is expected to make a policy announcement later in the evening, based on the deliberations at the workshop, official sources said.

Meanwhile, opposition MLAs staged a protest when media personnel covering the event were asked to leave soon after the introductory remarks. (More)