Tadepalli, August 7: YSRCP has hosted a grand celebration of National Handloom Day, where party leaders, including MLC Lella Appi Reddy, former Devanga Corporation Chairman Surendra Babu, and former APCO Chairman Chillapalli Mohan Rao, launched a scathing attack on the coalition government for its failure to uplift the handloom sector.
They accused Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his administration of betraying weavers by abandoning election promises, plunging the community into distress, while contrasting this with the transformative support provided during the YSRCP’s tenure under YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The leaders highlighted the coalition government’s inaction on critical promises, including GST relief, free electricity up to 200 units, health insurance, and the Nethanna Nestham scheme, which remain unfulfilled 14 months into their rule. MLC Lella Appireddy asserted, “Under YS Jagan’s leadership, weavers flourished with Rs. 3,700 crores in aid over five years, including Rs. 1.20 lakhs to 85,000 families through Nethanna Nestham. Today, the coalition government offers nothing but empty words, leaving weavers in despair.” He condemned Naidu for repeating unfulfilled promises year after year, calling it a deliberate deception.
Surendra Babu exposed the coalition’s failure on the GST front, a burden YS Jagan had actively opposed. “Nara Lokesh promised to scrap GST or reimburse it, but in 14 months, not a word has been uttered in the GST Council. This is a government that endorsed GST when in power earlier, yet now feigns concern,” he charged. He also pointed to the stalled promise of free electricity, noting, “A government order was issued six months ago, yet weavers still wait in the dark.”
Chillapalli Mohan Rao praised YS Jagan’s legacy, stating, “YS Jagan tripled weavers’ per capita income and cleared Rs. 400 crores in APCO dues, directly benefiting individuals, not just societies. The coalition, however, prioritizes hollow gestures over real support.” He underscored how the YSRCP empowered weavers with modern showrooms and direct financial aid, a stark contrast to the current regime’s neglect.
Stop attacking the livelihoods of the poor
