Nagari loom sector gets lifeline as state rolls out free electricity

Tirupati: For handloom weavers and powerloom owners in Nagari, the State government’s decision to provide free electricity has come as a long-awaited relief after years of financial strain and uncertainty. Many say the measure will help them sustain operations that have become increasingly difficult due to rising power costs.

“We have been demanding this for years. Electricity bills were eating into whatever little earnings we had,” said a powerloom owner, expressing cautious optimism as the scheme came into effect on Wednesday. Weavers believe the free power supply will reduce production expenses and help struggling units remain functional, though they emphasise that deeper structural support is still needed to revive the sector.

Under the scheme, handloom units will receive 200 units of free electricity while powerloom units are eligible for 500 units. The weaving community views the move as recognition of the hardships faced by the industry, which has witnessed a steady decline over the past decade.

Nagari, once regarded as a vibrant textile hub, is home to nearly 15,000 powerloom units. Along with Madanapalle and Satyavedu in the erstwhile Chittoor district, the town has long been associated with handloom and textile production.

Senior weavers recall that the introduction of powerlooms in 1976 transformed livelihoods and turned the region into one of the country’s largest textile clusters after Gujarat. “At one time, orders came regularly from big companies, and workers even migrated here from Salem and Erode for jobs,” said a veteran weaver, recalling the industry’s peak years. However, rising input costs, lack of technological upgrades and shrinking demand gradually weakened the sector, forcing many units to cut operations or shut down.

Weavers say electricity expenses became the biggest challenge in recent years, particularly after additional levies such as true-up charges increased operational costs. Protests demanding subsidised or free electricity have been ongoing since around 2012, reflecting the prolonged distress faced by the community.

The implementation of free power also fulfils an assurance made by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ahead of the 2024 elections. According to officials, the scheme is expected to benefit about 14,500 powerloom units and 450 handloom families in the undivided Chittoor district.

Handloom workers from Gollapalli in Nagari constituency felicitated MLA Gali Bhanu Prakash on Thursday. Under the leadership of AP Padmashali Corporation Director Ganji Madhavayya they expressed their gratitude for fulfilling the assurance given to the weavers.

Despite welcoming the initiative, weavers say free electricity alone cannot restore the industry’s past glory. They are seeking government support for modernisation, improved marketing networks and stable demand to ensure consistent income.