The condition of handloom weavers in Andhra Pradesh is worsening. The Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society is yet to release their dues. The society is yet to release Rs 12 crores in arrears to around 50 primary weavers’ co-operative societies that are present in East Godavari. Lack of funds is not the only issue weavers are faced with. Imposition of GST has forced some weavers’ societies to resort to making school uniforms with polyester made out of power looms.

Andhra Pradesh boasts of 80 per cent of the country’s handlooms, most of which are in East Godavari, Krishna and Kadapa districts. There are 1.40 lakh looms in Andhra Pradesh, but the number of weavers far outnumbers the looms in the country or the state.

Meanwhile India’s power loom weavers and business owners want the current GST rate for power loom trading to be retained at five per cent. They say any change would negatively affect their business. Instead the power loom sector hopes for more assistance and a stable tax rate. Many power loom manufacturers are small-scale businesses. Weaving units have also asked for release of funds under the Technological Upgradation Fund Scheme and say delay in release of these funds could hamper their expansion plans, which are meant at generating thousands of jobs.