Srikakulam: Lockdown puts weavers livelihood in peril

Srikakulam: Coronavirus-induced lockdown has deprived the weavers of their means of livelihood in the district.

Production of cloth in the sector came to a grinding half due to lack of raw material. Coupled with it, the demand for products too dipped in the market. It led to the weaver struggling to make both ends meet.

In Srikakulam district, weavers have been formed societies and they are producing cloths and the products are sold in the market through shops in various towns.

There are 33 weavers' societies in the district and the noted weavers' societies are in Korasavada, Bonthalakoduru, Fazulbegpeta, Ponduru, Rajam, Ampolu, Uppinivalasa, Yanampeta, Karimajjipeta, Singupuram, Ginkibhadra, Kollivalasa, Kottapeta, Hiramandal, Mandarada, Bejjipuram, Allinagaram, Thadivalasa, Tholapi, Alikam, Arasavalli, Narasannapeta, Srikakulam city, Laveru and Kunkam across the district.

Thread is the raw material for weaving cloths and it is being produced through spinning of cotton. Due to Covid-19 thread is not produced at spinning units leading to weaving being affected.

"We are unable to maintain our spinning and weaving units in the wake of lockdown and our spinners and weavers are unable to feed their families" Andhra Fine Khadi Karmikaabivruddi Sangham secretary D Venkata Ramana explained while talking to to The Hans India.