The powerloom weavers of Sircilla textile town have woven 2.60 crore metres (40 lakh Bathukamma sarees) against the target of 5.94 crore metres. The weavers have to weave an additional 3.34 crore metres (50 lakh Bathukamma sarees) to be distributed to the below poverty line people during the Bathukamma festivities in October.
In order to provide regular employment and higher income to the powerloom weavers of Sircilla textile town, the State government had placed orders to the tune 90 lakh sarees along with blouse pieces. A total of 80 colours of Bathukamma sarees along with six colours of blouses would be woven on powerlooms, to be distributed among the womenfolk.
At a review meeting with the powerloom weavers, owners and others in Sircilla textile town on Monday, Collector D. Krishna Bhaskar asked the powerloom industry to expedite the production of the Bathukamma sarees before October 5, the stipulated deadline. Instructing the powerloom owners to increase number of looms and workers for the production of the sarees, he also asked them to rope in the weavers of other districts to achieve the targeted production.
He said that the government was helping the powerloom industry through the bulk orders worth ₹300 crore. “It is the duty of the powerloom weavers of the town to achieve the target before deadline. Or else, the government would stop placing orders in the future to the Sircilla town”, he warned.
AD (handlooms and textiles) Ashok said presently only 16,000 powerlooms were being used by 8,500 weavers to produce sarees. But an additional 4,000 powerlooms and 1,500 more weavers have to be added to achieve the target by October 5. He asked the owners and workers to cancel their holidays and focus on production by working round the clock. He also said that the government would procure more sarees than the set target. Trainee Collector Rahul Sharma and others were also present.
