Rs 179 Crore Netanna Sevalo Aid Reaches 71,536 Handloom Families as Chandrababu Naidu Launches Scheme in Chirala

N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, announced Rs 25,000 for each eligible handloom family and said the government is preparing legislation for the protection of Backward Classes

Financial assistance of Rs 179 crore will reach 71,536 eligible handloom families in Andhra Pradesh under the Netanna Sevalo scheme launched by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the 12th National Handloom Day celebrations at Kothapeta village in Chirala constituency of Bapatla district.
Each eligible family will receive Rs 25,000 under the programme.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said welfare and development expenditure would continue despite the financial position of the state.

He said National Handloom Day reflected the spirit of the Swadeshi movement and described the handloom sector as part of India’s cultural heritage rather than only a source of employment.
Naidu referred to Andhra Pradesh’s established handloom traditions in Chirala, Venkatagiri, Dharmavaram, Uppada, Mangalagiri, Ponduru, Pedana, Srikalahasti and Narasapuram. Around 1.27 lakh people depend on the sector for their livelihood, according to the information shared during the programme.
The state government currently provides free electricity up to 200 units a month for eligible handloom families and up to 500 units for power loom units. The support covers 62,541 handloom families and 10,032 power loom units.

Handloom workers are also covered under NTR Pension Bharosa from the age of 50. Around 85,000 weavers receive monthly pensions of Rs 4,000, involving expenditure of approximately Rs 35 crore every month and Rs 420 crore annually.
The government has also provided Rs 79 crore in cash credit support to 109 Primary Handloom Cooperative Societies.
Ten handloom clusters have been approved under the Small Cluster Development Programme at a cost of Rs 10 crore, while market access is being supported through the Handloom Marketing Assistance programme.

Other initiatives cited during the programme include special infrastructure at Uppada, a Handloom Park at Mangalagiri and a Handloom and Handicrafts Museum at Shakhamuru in Amaravati.
A sustainable textile recycling unit in Visakhapatnam has also been planned with an investment of Rs 4,200 crore.
Naidu said the government was preparing legislation intended to provide protection to Backward Classes and that the draft law had already been prepared.
He also referred to welfare measures for different BC communities.
During fishing ban periods, Rs 505 crore was provided over two years to 1.34 lakh fishing families at Rs 20,000 each.

Mining leases have been allotted to members of Vaddera communities, while excise shops have been allotted to toddy tappers. An additional subsidy of Rs 20,000 is being provided to eligible BC beneficiaries for 3 KW rooftop solar installations.
Naidu also announced the introduction of Universal Health Insurance of Rs 2.5 lakh for every citizen.
The Chief Minister said work on Amaravati had resumed and that the Seed Access Road, a principal arterial road in the capital region, would be inaugurated on August 13.
Chirala also featured prominently in the government’s tourism plans announced during the programme.

Naidu said the Suryalanka, Bapatla and Chirala coastal belt would be developed as a tourism destination. A tourism corridor from Suryalanka to Chirala is being developed with Rs 97 crore under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
Referring to Chirala’s textile history, the Chief Minister said its handloom products have national recognition and recalled the town’s earlier reputation as Mini Mumbai because of its textile trade.
The programme also included a public review of district officials using departmental performance reports.
Naidu visited exhibition stalls and unveiled a micro art portrait of himself created with 40 pencils by young artist Mahathi.
The Bay of Bapatla website and handbook, highlighting beaches across the district, were also released during the event.
The Chief Minister launched the Bapatla LEAPS youth skill development programme and witnessed agreements with four organisations, including Fabindia, for initiatives connected with the handloom sector.

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