Government to open international showrooms for Lepakshi handicrafts, says Minister

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, S. Savitha, announced on Saturday that the State government was preparing to launch overseas showrooms for the Lepakshi handicrafts brand as part of a broader strategy to promote Andhra Pradesh’s handloom and handicrafts sectors globally.

Addressing a press conference at the Secretariat, the Minister highlighted the coalition government’s achievements over the past two years and outlined several initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of weavers and artisans.

Ms. Savitha said the primary objective was to ensure a dignified and financially secure life for handloom weavers and handicraft artisans. She announced that the “Nethanna Bharosa” welfare scheme would be launched soon and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reviving the traditional handloom sector. A National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus was proposed on 10 acres at Shakamuru in Amaravati to support skill development and innovation in the textile industry, she said.

The Minister said the State’s Textiles, Apparel and Garments Policy 2024-29 aimed to attract investments worth ₹10,000 crore and generate employment for more than 2 lakh people. She noted that five textile-sector agreements signed during the CII Summit in Visakhapatnam brought investment commitments of ₹4,700 crore, with land and infrastructure support already being provided for several projects.

Highlighting welfare measures, the Miniser said free electricity was being provided to 50,565 handloom weavers’ families from April 1 this year. Under the scheme, handloom units receive 200 free power units and power loom units receive 500 units, benefiting thousands of weavers and reducing production costs. She said the government was spending around ₹150 crore annually on this initiative.

Handloom clusters were established across the State to create sustainable employment, including a Mega Handloom Cluster at Dharmavaram and handloom parks in Uppada and Mangalagiri. A Handloom and Handicrafts Museum was also planned in Amaravati.

The Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (APCO) operations were being modernised through digitisation, and it had recorded sales of ₹190 crore over the past 24 months and had opened new showrooms in Puttaparthi, Emmiganur, Proddatur, Tekkali and Anakapalle, she informed.

The Minister also emphasised support for handicraft artisans, noting that 2.05 lakh artisans had been identified across the State. Through the Khadi and Village Industries Board and PMEGP schemes, the government was also creating large-scale employment opportunities for youth, women and rural entrepreneurs across Andhra Pradesh., she added.

Principal Secretary of the State Handlooms and Textiles Department, R.P. Sisodia, CEO of the Khadi and Village Industries Board, Simhachalam, Commissioner Rekha Rani, Lepakshi Managing Director Viswa and others were present.