Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao urged the Telangana govt to immediately restore the “Nethanna Bima” and “Nethannaku Cheyutha“ schemes, clear pending dues, and implement all election promises made to handloom workers.On the occasion of National Handloom Day, KTR wrote an open letter to Telangana CM A Revanth Reddyon Friday alleging that the Congress govt has failed to fulfill a single promise made to handloom workers before the elections. He said that welfare schemes introduced during BRS regime including “Nethanna Bima” and “Nethannaku Cheyutha,” were discontinued, leaving weavers in severe distress.KTR stated that promises such as an annual financial assistance of ₹18,000 under the “Chenetha Bharosa” scheme, ₹6,000 support for allied workers, waiver of personal loans up to ₹1 lakh, waiver of cash credit loans for handloom cooperative societies, and reimbursement of the 5% GST imposed on handloom products have not been implemented. He also alleged that govt orders, which previously benefited handloom weavers, are now being awarded to private firms and individuals.He further criticized the BJP-led central govt , saying it had also harmed the handloom sector by abolishing the All India Handloom Board, Handicrafts Board, and Powerloom Board, discontinuing schemes such as House-cum-Workshed, and imposing a 5% GST on handloom products.The BRS working president, both the BJP at the Centre and the Congress govt in Telangana have adopted similar policies that have weakened the handloom sector. “Our handloom is our pride. Only if the weaver survives will the handloom survive. And only if handloom survives will our culture and self-respect remain alive.” He appealed to the govt to stand by the families of handloom weavers and provide them with the support they deserve.ends/
