April 1 Marks Start of Free Power Scheme for Andhra Pradesh Weavers

The Andhra Pradesh coalition government has announced a major welfare initiative for weavers , fulfilling a key election promise , State Handlooms and Textiles Minister S. Savitha said. Under the new free electricity scheme, handloom weavers will receive 200 units per month, while power loom users will get up to 500 units free of cost starting April 1. The scheme is expected to directly benefit 1,03,534 families across the state .

Financial Impact and Government Burden

Speaking at a press conference at the State Secretariat in Amaravati, Minister Savitha explained that implementing the scheme would cost the state Rs. 85 crore annually. She emphasized that the coalition government is committed to fulfilling promises made by CM Chandrababu Naidu and Minister Nara Lokesh before the last elections. The scheme will provide 200 free units for handloom households (93,000 families) and 500 free units for power loom households (10,534 families).

The financial relief is significant: handloom families could save Rs. 720 per month (Rs. 8,640 annually), while power loom families could save Rs. 1,800 per month (Rs. 21,600 annually).

Pensions and Welfare Measures

The government has increased pensions for weavers aged 50 and above from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 4,000 per month. Currently, 87,280 weavers receive this pension , providing an additional Rs. 12,000 annually per family . The government has also released pending dues of Rs. 7 crore to handloom societies and Rs. 1.67 crore under the thrift fund.

Industrial Development: Clusters and Textile Parks

To strengthen the handloom sector, the government has launched major projects , including a Rs. 30 crore mega cluster in Dharmavaram and another cluster in Pithapuram. Additional textile parks are being set up in Emmiganuru, Rayadurgam, Mailavaram, and Pamidi, along with a mega textile park in Mangalagiri. A state-of-the-art Unity Mall is being constructed over 5 acres in Visakhapatnam with an investment of Rs. 172 crore.

The government has signed agreements with companies like Tata, Birla Adhya, and Co-Optex to provide year-round employment for weavers. E-commerce platforms are being leveraged to increase sales of handloom products, along with a 15% subsidy on yarn. Minister Savitha also highlighted that national-level awards received by Andhra Pradesh handlooms reflect the sector’s growth and recognition .