Andhra Pradesh’s IT and HRD Minister, Nara Lokesh, announced a significant proposal in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday: the creation of a special working group composed of MLAs. This group will be tasked with exploring how a portion of the state’s school uniform requirements can be procured directly from handloom weaver societies. The core aim of this initiative is to provide crucial support and improve the livelihoods of these traditional craftspeople.
Responding to a query from Nagari MLA Gali Bhanu Prakash regarding government efforts to create employment for weavers through uniform procurement, Mr. Lokesh acknowledged past challenges. He noted that while APCO had previously handled uniform supply, weaver societies often struggled with timely deliveries.
The Minister emphasized the need for fundamental structural changes to enable weaver societies to compete effectively in government tender processes. He highlighted the urgent need to support traditional weavers, who are currently facing immense pressure from the proliferation of powerlooms and other market forces. With a substantial number of weavers residing in nearly 50 Assembly constituencies, the government is deeply committed to enhancing their economic conditions.
Mr. Lokesh further explained that the proposed MLA group would delve into strategies to make handloom weavers more price-competitive and develop sustainable solutions for their ongoing challenges. He encouraged all legislators to visit the ‘Weavershala’ in Mangalagiri to gain a firsthand understanding of the support mechanisms being developed for the handloom sector.
While the government has already made strides in increasing weavers’ incomes, Mr. Lokesh admitted that the improvement has not yet reached the desired level. He underscored that purchasing handloom products is a vital step towards fostering self-reliance, aligning perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong advocacy for the ‘Swadeshi’ movement.