Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that Handlooms are a symbol of the freedom struggle and culture of the country. He credited Rs 193.31 crore into the bank accounts of 80,546 weavers on Thursday under the YSR Nethanna Nestham scheme at Pedana in Krishna district.

Speaking on the occasion he reiterated that his Government is committed to the welfare of weavers and development of handlooms and the financial assistance to the weavers was provided for the fourth time under the scheme, as per YSRCP election promise. Every handloom weaver with his own loom was given Rs 24K per year under the scheme. Including the latest assistance of Rs 193.31 crore, a total of Rs 776.13 crore has been spent under the scheme.

Besides, Rs 879.8 crore was also disbursed as pension for the weavers and Rs 393.3 crore was given to APCO. So far, a total of Rs 2,049.23 crore has been spent for the welfare of the weavers in the last three years, he added. Each eligible weaver has received Rs 72K in the last three years transparently through DBT. The amount is being credited to unencumbered accounts of the beneficiaries. Bankers have been directed not to adjust the amount for any dues.

Weavers have upgraded their looms to double jacquard and jacquard lifting machines with the aid they have received, enabling them to come up with new designs and expand their business, said YS Jagan. In 2018-19, weavers used to earn Rs 4,680 a month. Now, they earn Rs 15,000 per month, Jagan said.

APCO has enabled the weavers to market their products internationally, that handloom products from the State were now available on several e-commerce platforms, helping weavers have a profitable business. BCs are the backbone class in the State; his government was committed to uplift them, he said. Earlier, Jagan interacted with the beneficiaries. He also announced development projects for Krishna district.

Ministers Jogi Ramesh, Gudivada Amarnath, RK Roja, MLAs Perni Venkataramaiah, Kodali Venkateswara Rao, K Parthasarathy and other officials were present.

YS Jagan said that Rs 102 crore would be sanctioned for various development projects in the region as per the request of Pedana MLA Jogi Ramesh. Announcing that the High Court of Andhra Pradesh has approved the construction of Machilipatnam Port, Jagan said he will visit Krishna district soon to lay the foundation stone for the project works.