The Telangana government has introduced several initiatives aimed at supporting the weaver community, ensuring their financial stability, and promoting the traditional handloom industry. Below are the details of these key initiatives:
Chenetha Mitra Scheme
- Objective: To enhance the livelihoods of handloom weavers by ensuring the viability and profitability of their operations.
- Subsidy: Eligible weaver applicants receive a 50% subsidy, with 40% funded by the state government and 10% by the central government.
- Amendment in 2023-24: The scheme was amended to provide immediate financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 per month to weavers.
Impact:
- 10,220 weavers received a total of Rs. 13.18 crore during 2023-24.
- 3.99 crore was disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 32,572 beneficiaries during September and October 2023.
Nethanna Bima Scheme
- Objective: To provide insurance coverage to eligible members of the weaver community, offering financial security in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
- Coverage: Initially targeted individuals aged 18 to 59, with the upper age limit extended to 65 years in 2023-24.
Impact:
- A total of 36,777 individuals were identified as eligible for coverage in 2023-24.
- In the unfortunate event of the death of 92 weavers, claims totaling Rs. 5 lakh each were made.
Nethannaku Cheyutha Scheme
- Objective: To provide social security to handloom weavers by incentivizing savings through a government contribution.
- Mechanism: The government deposits twice the amount of 8% of the weavers’ wage into a savings account.
Impact:
- 36,133 weavers, with a focus on women from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Castes, received a state contribution of Rs. 49.50 crore during the fiscal year 2023-24.
Ghatuppal and Theratpally State Clusters
- Objective: To support the weaver community by providing infrastructure and resources to improve their craft.
Impact:
- The government approved two clusters in Ghatuppal and Theratpally in Nalgonda District to support 650 weavers.
- An allocation of Rs. 77.65 lakhs was made to provide 493 iron frame looms to these weavers.
Textiles and Handlooms Sector
- Telangana is known for its high-quality cotton and artistic weaves like Pochampally Ikat, Gadwal Sarees, and Warangal Durries. However, the sector faces challenges such as outdated technologies, insufficient credit support, and lack of product diversification.
Government Initiatives:
- Development of new textile and apparel parks, including the Kakatiya Integrated Mega Textile Park in Warangal.
- Provision of well-trained manpower and incentives under the Telangana Textile and Apparel Policy (T-TAP).
