- Minister for handlooms and textiles S Savitha announced in the Legislative Council that free electricity will be provided to all eligible weavers in the state from April 1.
- Replying to a question raised by YSRCP member Murugudu Hanumantha Rao during the Budget session, the minister said the scheme will benefit all those engaged in the handloom sector.
- Under the initiative, weavers using handlooms will receive 200 units of free electricity per month, saving about Rs 720 per month and Rs 8,640 annually per family.
- Power loom weavers will be provided 500 units free, resulting in savings of Rs 1,800 per month and Rs 21,600 annually.
- She described weavers as “great artisans who transform yarn into fabric and uphold human dignity.”
- The minister credited former chief minister N T Rama Rao for initially supporting the handloom sector and said the 2014–19 tenure of N Chandrababu Naidu was a golden era for weavers.
- Savitha said that the government is clearing pending dues of handloom cooperative societies and procuring products as required.
- She also revealed that pensions for weavers have been increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000, with Rs 495 crore disbursed so far.
- Alleging that the previous government weakened APCO, she said Rs 120 crore received from the Centre was diverted. Efforts are underway to recover the funds.
- The minister further said a new textile policy aims to attract Rs 10,000 crore investments and generate employment for two lakh people in the sector.