TTD places Rs 20 crore order with APCO for supply of handloom products

Vijayawada: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has placed its first-ever order worth over Rs 20 crore with APCO (Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society) for supply of traditional handloom products, including shawls, sarees, dupattas, kanduvas, and blouse pieces.Handlooms and textiles minister S Savitha said the order would open up major employment opportunities for handloom weavers across the state and strengthen APCO’s marketing network. She said the products supplied to TTD would carry traditional spiritual motifs such as Shanku, Chakra, and the inscription 'Om Namo Venkatesaya'.Addressing representatives of handloom cooperative societies from across the state at Tadepalli, Savitha said the NDA coalition govt’s primary objective is to ensure double income for weavers and provide them employment throughout the year. She assured that the govt would directly procure handloom products from cooperative societies to ensure better financial support for weaver families.Urging weavers to produce high-quality fabrics matching current market trends and APCO requirements, she said the govt is ready to provide skill development training for production of ready-made handloom garments to improve earnings of artisans. "APCO recorded handloom sales worth Rs 190 crore in the last 23 months. The govt has been strengthening online and showroom sales through 40 APCO outlets and e-commerce platforms, with nearly 6,770 handloom products currently being marketed,” she said, adding that special handloom exhibition stalls would be set up during the three-day Mahanadu event in Nellore from May 27 to 29.Textiles special chief secretary RP Sisodia stated that the govt is preparing to launch the 'Nethanna Bharosa' scheme under which eligible weaver families would receive financial assistance of Rs 25,000. “The weaving community is already benefiting from free power supply, 90% subsidy on loom equipment, and 15% subsidy on yarn purchases,” he said, while urging weavers to supply quality handloom products to APCO to maintain customer confidence and strengthen the organisation’s reputation. Commissioner Rekha Rani said more exhibitions would be organised to expand handloom sales across the state.