Telangana will open 12 new textile clusters. This is part of a move to encourage handlooms and support weavers. A textile policy will contain several welfare measures for weavers' benefit. Handloom workers in the parks will be provided health insurance and pension facilities.
Handloom products will be provided outlets. Weavers would be empowered through enhanced marketing opportunities and better incomes. For speedy revival of the handloom industry, and for giving a boost to the workers, the budget would allot special funds. Workers who are dependent on power looms for livelihood have been granted a loan waiver.
Public representatives and officials will be urged to wear handloom clothes at least once a week. Online sales of handloom clothes have already taken off and these would be taken to all e-commerce websites.
Telangana is one of the important states in the handloom industry. There are about 82,435 handloom weavers in the cooperative fold and 32,002 outside the cooperative fold. The handloom industry in Telangana is known for pochampally ikats, gadwala cotton, silk and sico saris, Narayanpet cotton, men’s shirts, silk saris, dress materials, stoles, Warangal durries, Karimnagar bed sheets and furnishings. The Telangana State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society was established in 2016.