Minister hails A.P. for winning 10 ODOP awards

Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Textiles S. Savitha, on Sunday, hailed Andhra Pradesh for securing as many as 10 national awards under the ‘One District–One Product’ (ODOP) initiative. While seven of the 10 were in recognition of the handlooms and handicraft products, two were in the agriculture sector, and one in the inter-State category.

Speaking at a press conference here, the Minister attributed the achievement to the constant support from the coalition government. The awarded products included Bobbili veena (Vizianagaram), Etikoppaka toys (Anakapalli), Peddapuram and Chirala silk saris (Kakinada and Bapatla), Venkatagiri saris (Tirupati), Narsapur lace (West Godavari), and Dharmavaram silk saris (Sri Sathya Sai). The Guntur chilli and Srikakulam cashew nuts also bagged awards, the Ms. Savitha said.

She said that the awards ceremony will be held in New Delhi on July 14 (Monday), and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will present the honours. District Collectors and senior artisans from the respective districts will be attending the event.

Ms. Savitha further announced the rollout of the free power scheme for weavers, with effect from August 7. This initiative will provide 200 units of power for loom owners and 500 units for pit loom operators. The disbursement of the benefits to the thrift societies will also be held on the same day. “The State government has plans to bring other unique products such as Kadapa banana, Chittoor tomato, and Anantapur groundnut under ODOP initiative,” the Minister added.