Eligible Weavers Need Not Worry, All Will Get Pensions: Minister Savitha

The Andhra Pradesh government has relaxed a key documentation requirement for handloom workers applying for the newly introduced Nethanna Bharosa pensions, providing relief to weavers who may not have regular bank records of their wage payments.

State Handlooms and Textiles Minister S. Savitha said on Friday that eligible weavers would not be required to submit bank account statements along with their pension applications. Those working under master weavers can instead furnish details of the wages they receive, along with a certification from the concerned master weaver, she said.

The government began accepting fresh applications from September 7 for various social security pensions, including those for senior citizens, widows, single women, persons with disabilities and handloom workers. However, the bank statement requirement had emerged as a concern for several weavers working with master weavers, as their wages are often paid directly and do not necessarily appear as regular bank transactions.

Weavers and representatives of handloom associations brought the issue to the minister's attention and sought relaxation of the documentation requirement. Savitha subsequently took up the matter with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who directed officials to ensure that eligible weavers were not inconvenienced while applying for the pension.

Following the decision, the minister directed district handlooms and textiles officials to accept applications from eligible weavers even without bank statements. She assured that all eligible weavers aged 50 and above would receive Nethanna Bharosa pensions, and urged beneficiaries not to worry about the application process.

Savitha said more than 85,000 weavers across Andhra Pradesh are currently receiving a monthly pension of Rs 4,000 under the Nethanna Bharosa scheme.

She also said the government was providing free electricity to the handloom sector and extending Rs 25,000 annual financial assistance under the ‘Nethannala Sevalo’ scheme.

The minister said the government's focus was on strengthening the financial security of the state's handloom community and ensuring that eligible weavers were able to access welfare benefits without procedural hurdles.