The handloom and textile industry in Telangana is facing a severe crisis under Congress rule. The Revanth government’s decisions have dealt a massive blow to the sector, leaving thousands of handloom and powerloom workers jobless. Families dependent on this livelihood are struggling to make ends meet, and the situation has become dire for many.
A key decision that has drawn widespread criticism is the cancellation of the Bathukamma Saree Scheme introduced by the previous BRS government. The scheme, which provided substantial employment to local weavers and powerloom workers, was abruptly scrapped.
Promises by the Congress to provide two free sarees to women and manufacture 1.30 crore sarees within the state remain unfulfilled. Concerns have also arisen over whether the sarees will be outsourced from Surat, bypassing local workers entirely.
Adding to the unrest, the Congress government has failed to address critical questions about its textile policies. In Vemulawada, CM Revanth Reddy did not provide any concrete assurances about safeguarding the textile industry or creating employment opportunities for workers.
Reports indicate that over 15 textile workers have tragically ended their lives in the past 11 months due to mounting financial pressures. Handloom associations attribute these tragedies to the Congress government’s apathy and lack of support for the industry.
The Cheyutha Scheme, another initiative launched during the BRS regime to aid powerloom workers, has also been neglected. Despite repeated appeals by the Telangana Powerloom Workers Union, the government has not taken any steps to revive the scheme.
The Congress government’s neglect of the handloom sector has sparked anger and despair among workers, who are calling for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of livelihoods and lives.