The Department of Handlooms and Textiles looks after the welfare and development of weavers in Handloom and power loom industries in the State. The Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Mangalagiri is entrusted with the responsibility of supervision over the working of Weavers Cooperative Societies (Cotton, Silk & Wool), Apex Societies, Power Loom Societies and Garment Societies, implementation of schemes relating to Handlooms and Power looms in the Cooperative and Decentralized sector. The Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Mangalagiri is also vested with statutory and regulatory functions under A.P Cooperative societies Act VII of 1964 and A.P. Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act 1995 such as Inspections, Enquiries, Arbitrations, Executions, and Liquidations under. The Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Mangalagiri is assisted by Officers of various categories at District and field level. The Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Mangalagiri is the Registrar of Weavers Co-operative Societies under the A.P.C.S Act, and also under A.P Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies Act 1995.
In order to decentralize the administration in the Handlooms and Textiles Department and so as to be nearer to the Industry, the State Government has setup three 3 Regional Offices at Rajahmundry, Ongole, and Tirupati, and these Regional Offices started functioning with effect from 15-6-1992. The RDD Tirupati is also entrusted with the job of Enforcement and implementation of Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act 1985.
Apart from 3 Regional Offices, there are 12 district offices headed by Assistant Directors (H&T) in 13 districts, Viz., Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari , West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam(chirala), Nellore, Chittoor, YSR kadapa, Kurnool and Ananthapuramu. One Handloom Weavers Training Centre is Established at Hindupur in Ananthapuramu District under the control of the Department i.e Telugu Chenetha Parisramika Sikshana Kendram (TCPSK) whose prime objective is to impart advance training to Handloom Weavers to upgrade their skills to work on improved looms with better designs.
The Department has also established Indian Institute of Handloom Technology at Venkatagiri, S.P.S.R.Nellore District on the lines of the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology in Salem in Tamil Nadu. The Institute started functioning from 1992 and offering Diploma Course in Handloom Technology with duration of three years period. There is one power loom service centre under the control of Government of India, established at Nagari in Chittor District whose prime objective is to impart regular training on power looms to weavers for their better earnings.
Many Developmental and welfare Schemes/Programmes are being implemented through the District Offices/ Regional Offices. Each District Office is headed by One Asst. Director (H&T) and each Regional Office is headed by a Deputy Director (H&T) with necessary supporting staff. This is in addition to the technical and other supporting staff employed by the Apex Organisation, i.e., APCO.
The Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Mangalagiri is Head of the Department assisted by one Additional Director, one Joint Director, Two Deputy Directors and Two Asst. Directors (H&T) at Head office.
