Andhra Pradesh Launches 'Nethanna Bharosa' for Weavers, Clears APCO Dues

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a series of welfare measures for handloom weavers, including the early rollout of the 'Nethanna Bharosa' scheme and clearance of pending dues worth ₹6.50 crore to handloom cooperative societies. The announcements were made by Minister for Handlooms and Textiles S. Savitha during the golden jubilee celebrations of the Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society Limited (APCO) at Mangalagiri in Guntur district.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the government had completed groundwork for implementing Nethanna Bharosa, which aims to provide year-round employment to weavers. She announced that ₹4 crore towards dues for blankets and other supplies made to welfare hostels would be released on July 15, while another ₹2.50 crore for general handloom products would be paid in the first week of August. The government is also considering supplying yarn through APCO to reduce production costs for weavers.

Ms. Savitha stated that the coalition government had initiated reforms to restore APCO's financial strength and expand market opportunities for handloom products. She noted that APCO's digitalisation had earned the SKOCH Award and that the organisation had diversified into ready-made handloom garments to cater to changing consumer preferences. Training programmes are being conducted to equip weavers with garment production skills, while weaving, dyeing and bleaching charges have been enhanced to improve their incomes.

The Minister said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, and Minister for Information Technology Nara Lokesh were actively promoting handloom products and had emerged as brand ambassadors for the sector.

Special Chief Secretary (Handlooms and Textiles) R.P. Sisodia said the government was taking steps to strengthen APCO through skill development and market-oriented initiatives. During the celebrations, the Minister also honoured representatives of handloom cooperative societies and presented retirement benefits to former APCO employees.