KAKINADA: Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district collector R. Mahesh Kumar on Friday urged handloom cooperative societies to reduce their dependence on government orders and explore private and open markets to achieve long-term sustainability.
Addressing National Handloom Day celebrations at Amalapuram, the collector said nearly 90 per cent of the district’s handloom cooperative societies currently rely on government orders. He urged weavers to capitalise on the growing demand for handloom products across South and North India by developing market-oriented products that match changing consumer preferences.
He stressed the need to adopt modern technology, improve product quality and introduce innovative designs, colours and varieties to make the sector more competitive and profitable. He said modernisation would not only increase demand and improve weavers’ incomes but also encourage younger generations to take up handloom weaving.
To strengthen the marketing capabilities of cooperative societies, Mahesh Kumar announced that special meetings involving government departments, consultants and marketing experts would be organised by the end of September to guide society representatives.
Highlighting government support, the collector said 3,567 weavers in the district are benefiting from the free electricity scheme, which provides up to 200 units of free power every month. He said 3,822 weavers are covered under the Nethanna Sevalo scheme, receiving ₹25,000 annually through Direct Benefit Transfer, while 3,863 weavers aged above 50 years receive a monthly pension of ₹4,000 under the NTR Bharosa scheme.
He said essential tools are being supplied with subsidies of up to 90 per cent under the National Handloom Development Scheme, while financial assistance is being extended through the Cooperative Handloom Workers’ Savings Scheme and the Handloom Mudra Scheme.
Mahesh Kumar said an expert team had already completed a field study of the district’s handloom sector and another team would visit cooperative societies by the end of August or mid-September to assess their requirements and recommend measures for further development.
He said the government is committed to strengthening the handloom sector financially and making cooperative societies self-reliant.
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