Bandi Sanjay Kumar, the National BJP general secretary and Karimnagar MP, praised the State government for promising to help the weavers in Sircilla. He commended the weavers for their united effort and the support they received from party leaders and members.
Bandi issued a warning that he would go on a hunger strike if the government does not keep its promises. He called for the government to pay the outstanding dues of Rs 270 crore for the ‘Bathukamma’ sarees and to place new orders for the textile industry. Additionally, he requested a 50% subsidy on electricity bills and a 10% subsidy on yarn to be provided immediately. Bandi emphasized the importance of preventing a crisis in the Sircilla textile industry and supporting its growth.
He also advocated for the revival of the worker-to-owner scheme with a budget of Rs 370 crore, as well as a monthly payment of Rs 2,000 for workers and an increase in the maximum age limit for joining the insurance scheme to 75 years. Bandi insisted that families of workers who die accidentally should receive Rs 5 lakh in financial assistance. He highlighted the lack of work for power looms in Sircilla and called on the government to guarantee a minimum order of Rs 500 crore annually for weavers.
Bandi pushed for a survey and geo-tagging to evaluate the financial status of weavers and urged the government to enforce all Central schemes for their benefit. State party spokesperson Rani Rudrama noted that 90% of the 36,000 power looms in Sircilla are struggling, leading to extreme actions by weavers. She mentioned past incidents of weavers taking their own lives during the Congress regime in united Andhra Pradesh, despite temporary measures taken by the previous government.
