AP to roll out ‘Nethanna Sevalo’ scheme on National Handloom Day

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government will roll out the ‘Nethanna Sevalo’ welfare scheme on August 7, coinciding with National Handloom Day, under which every eligible handloom weaver will receive Rs 25,000 annually as financial assistance.

Handlooms and Textiles Minister S. Savitha said the scheme reflects Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s commitment to ensuring a dignified livelihood for the state’s weaving community. She urged eligible weavers to submit their applications before the August 5 deadline, with applications closing at 5 p.m.

Reviewing the preparedness for the scheme with Assistant Directors of the Handlooms and Textiles Department from all districts, the minister directed officials to ensure that every eligible beneficiary is covered and that the implementation remains transparent and free from allegations or irregularities.

Savitha said the coalition government has been introducing several initiatives to revive the handloom sector while strengthening the financial security of weaver families. Apart from the new scheme, the government is providing NTR Bharosa pensions to weavers above 50 years of age, free electricity of up to 200 units for handloom weavers and 500 units for powerloom workers, besides extending thrift fund benefits and facilitating access to Mudra loans.

The minister noted that the annual assistance scheme was introduced even though it was not part of the coalition’s election promises, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting traditional artisans. The objective, she said, is to provide direct financial assistance that would improve the economic condition of individual weavers and help sustain the traditional handloom profession.

Officials have been instructed to undertake extensive awareness campaigns through field staff and the media to maximise enrolment before the deadline. Principal Secretary R.P. Sisodia directed district officials to submit the final list of beneficiaries by the morning of August 6.

The state-level National Handloom Day celebrations will be held at Chirala on August 7, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu scheduled to inaugurate the ‘Nethanna Sevalo’ scheme. District-level celebrations, rallies, and awareness programmes promoting the use of handloom products will also be organised across Andhra Pradesh.