The lengthy protest by handloom weavers demanding their long-overdue payments has concluded, bringing a sense of relief to Angara village in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. For an arduous 13 days, these dedicated artisans maintained a relay hunger strike, which finally ended after Labour Minister Vasamsetti Subhash personally intervened, assuring them that all outstanding bills, amounting to a significant ₹3.85 crore, would be settled within a month.
The core of the weavers’ grievances, specifically members of the Sri Ganapathi Weavers’ Co-operative Society, revolved around persistent delays in clearing their pending dues, which included vital thrift funds—an incentive provided by the Handloom Department. This financial struggle had pushed them to undertake the prolonged protest.
Following extensive discussions with the weavers, Minister Subhash confirmed the positive outcome, stating, “The weavers have agreed to suspend their relay hunger strike based on our firm commitment to clear all their pending bills within a month’s timeframe.” Mandapeta MLA Vegulla Jogeswara Rao was also present during these crucial negotiations.
The Minister also took the opportunity to highlight the State government’s existing support for handloom weavers, noting the annual aid of ₹25,000 they receive.
Prominent leaders from the handloom weaving community, including Bandaru Kondaiah, Bala Veerabhadrudu, and Undaru Satyanarayana, were actively involved in the discussions that led to this resolution.