A.P. government announces ‘Nethanna Bharosa’ scheme, clears APCO dues

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Handlooms and Textiles S. Savitha announced a series of welfare measures for handloom weavers during the golden jubilee celebrations of the Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society Limited (APCO) at Mangalagiri in Guntur district on Monday. Of these measures, major ones included the early rollout of the ‘Nethanna Bharosa’ scheme and the clearance of ₹6.50 crore in pending dues to handloom cooperative societies.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the government had completed the groundwork for implementing Nethanna Bharosa and was committed to providing year-round employment to weavers. She announced that ₹4 crore towards dues for blankets and other supplies made to welfare hostels would be released on July 15, while another ₹2.50 crore for general handloom products would be paid in the first week of August. The government is also considering supplying yarn through APCO to reduce the production cost for weavers, she added.

Ms. Savitha said the coalition government had initiated reforms to restore APCO's financial strength and expand market opportunities for handloom products. She noted that APCO's digitalisation had earned the prestigious SKOCH Award and that the organisation had diversified into ready-made handloom garments to cater to changing consumer preferences. Training programmes were also being conducted to equip weavers with skills in garment production, while weaving, dyeing and bleaching charges have been enhanced to improve their incomes, she said.

The Minister said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Nara Lokesh were actively promoting handloom products and had emerged as brand ambassadors for the sector.

Special Chief Secretary (Handlooms and Textiles) R.P. Sisodia said the government was taking steps to strengthen APCO through skill development and market-oriented initiatives. The Minister also honoured representatives of handloom cooperative societies and presented retirement benefits to former APCO employees during the celebrations.