Amaravati: e-platform set to help weavers sell products

Amaravati: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy said that e-marketing platform for handlooms and handicrafts would be started from October 2 to give a boost to products of weavers and artisans. He released the second round of YSR Nethanna Nestham six months in advance here on Saturday.

The State has released Rs 600 crore for weavers during its 13 months in office while the previous TDP government has not even spent Rs 200 crore during its entire five-year term, the Chief Minister said.

YSR Nethanana Nestham was launched on December 21, coinciding with the birthday of the Chief Minister, but due to Covid-19, the second round of the scheme was advanced by six months.

Under the scheme, every weaver who has a loom in the house would get Rs 24,000 incentive thus benefiting 80,000 families accounting for nearly Rs 200 crore per annum.

"In the times of corona, we have purchased cloth from APCO and gave the order to women SHGs for making masks. The amount of Rs 109 crore was duly paid to APCO. The State has also cleared the dues of the previous government up to Rs 103 crore to APCO taking the total amount spent during the 13 months to about Rs 600 crore," he said.

The Chief Minister said that during his 3,648 km padayatra he had interacted with weavers at various places who complained about the neglect the previous government was showing in addition to the growing cost of inputs from dyes to yarn and lack of marketing facilities and newer technologies coming in besides many such problems.

As an answer to their plight, the YSR Nethanna Nestham was weaved into the manifesto to provide Rs 24,000 to every weaver who has a loom in the house, the Chief Minister said.

"Not only for weavers but the padayatra has given shape to launch of several welfare schemes, and sometimes I may not even remember the names; They include Rythu Bharosa, Amma Vodi, YSR Pension Kanuka, House site pattas, English medium Jagananna Vidya Kanuka, Jagananna Vidya Deevena, Jagananna Goru Mudda, Naadu-Nedu for schools and hospitals, YSR Aarogyasri and the like are being implemented," he said.

So far 3.89 crore beneficiaries have received Rs 40,000 crore under various schemes, he said adding that the State wants to see that the poor are happy.

"The main intention is to benefit the poor and to provide social justice, we have provided 50 per cent reservation to the weaker sections in nominated posts and the Cabinet composition also has about 60 per cent from the weaker sections," he said.