Anakapalli district Collector Vijaya Krishnan has appealed to all sections of the public to patronise handloom textiles and help safeguard the livelihoods of traditional handloom weavers.
Speaking at a National Handloom Day event held at Atchutapuram in Anakapalli district on Thursday, the Collector described handloom as ‘a symbol of our tradition and culture’ and called upon the public to protect the handloom sector, which was responsible for upholding the rural economy of the nation.
She noted that the free power being given to handloom weavers has been increased from 100 to 200 units with effect from August 2025. She said that 2,593 handloom weavers in the district are receiving pensions and 16 weavers have been given ₹13.90 lakh as financial assistance under the Mudra Yojana 2024-25.
Under the National Handloom Development programme a total of ₹48.78 lakh was given to 87 weavers in the first instalment, for procurement of traditional ‘maggams’, Jacquard lifting equipment, solar lighting units, and individual sheds. She said: “All out efforts are being made to alleviate the problems of handloom workers and the National Handloom Corporation is providing the raw material to weavers at 15% subsidy.”
Additionally, she praised the Etikoppaka toys, which won the national award under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. Later, she visited the stalls at the handloom expo and interacted with the weavers.
MLA Sundarapu Vijay Kumar emphasised on the need to attract the youth towards handlooms, which command good patronage across the globe.
Weavers society leader Pappu Raja Rao presided. Former MP Pappala Chalapathi Rao, BJP convener Rajana Sanyasi Naidu and weavers society leader P. Appa Rao were also present.
Published – August 07, 2025 10:48 pm IST
