1) Why Handlooms?

• It is a Heritage Craft of our Country
• Provides employment to large section of Rural artisans
• Requires low capital investment
• No investment in providing trained manpower
• It is environment friendly
• Its flexibility and adoptability can produce articles according to the need and taste of the growing population.

2) What is the difference between Khadi and Handlooms?

Hand made Yarn through Charkas is used in Khadi whereas in Handlooms, mill made yarn is used for producing cloth. There is no difference in weaving process.

3) What is the Status of Handloom Industry in the State?

There are about 3.50 lakhs Handloom weavers depending on weaving and allied activities. Out of which approximately 50% are covered under 1282 Weavers Cooperative Societies in the State.

4) What are the well known/famous Handloom varieties in the State?

Uppada Jamadhani, Pochampalli tie and Dye Silk/Cotton varieties, Dharmavaram Silk Sarees, Venkatagiri Zari Sarees, Mangalagiri Dress materials, Godavari buta Sarees, Bandar Pattu Sarees, Peddapuram silks, Poduru Khadi.

5) What are the important items of Exports in the State ?

Tie and Dye bed sheets, furnishing Cloth, Dupion Silk cloth, Dress Material, Kalamkari Paintings, Durries, Carpets.

6) What are the other handlooms products produced in the State?

Cotton/ Silk /Zari Sarees, Shirting, Dhoties Bed sheets, Towels, Lungies, Livery cloth, Polyster Shirting, Suiting, Merino Blankets, Cumbals, Mosquito Nets, Carpets, Zamkhana, Gauge Cloth, Dress Materials, Modern Handkerchiefs, Silk Turbons etc.

1) Are there any training Centers for imparting training in Handlooms?

There are 2 training centres in Andhra Pradesh viz.

• Sri Pragada Kotaiah Memorial Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (SPKMIIHT), Venkatagiri in Nellore District which offers 3 Years Diploma Course in Handloom Technology.
• Telugu Chenetha Parisramika Sikshana Kendram (TCPSK) Hindupur, Ananthapur Dist.

2) What is the eligibility for admission into 3 years Diploma course in Handloom Technology?

The candidates should have passed SSC or any equivalent examination in 1st sitting with 

• General Science or Physics & Chemistry
• Mathematics
• English as subjects

The candidates should secure minimum 45% marks in aggregate (40% in case of SC/STs) and 50% marks in Maths & Science put together (45% for SC/STs) with English as a subject of study. 
The candidates should be between 15 and 21 years of age and SC/ST candidates should be between 15 and 23 years of age.

3) Are there any placements provided by the Institute after the course completion?

Yes, the Institute is providing placements to the students who have successfully completed the 3 year Diploma Course in Handloom Technology by arranging Campus Selections.

1) What are the important Handloom Clusters in the State?

The following are the Important Handloom Clusters in the State:

S.No	District	Important Handloom Clusters
1	Srikakulam	Tilaru
2	East Godavari	Mori, Uppada
3	West Godavari	A.Vemavaram
4	Krishna	West Pedana, Central Pedana, North Pedana, Machilipatnam, Mallavolu, Ghatasala
5	Guntur	Repalle, Ilavaram, Cherukupalli, Ponnur, Tenali, Bhattiprolu, Chilakaluripeta, Phirangipuram, Narasaraopeta, Sattenapalli,Mangalagiri-I,II,III,IV,V
6	Prakasam	Vetapalem, Chenethapuri, Desaipeta(East), Desaipeta(West), Ramannapeta, Pandillapalli, Epurupalem, Chirala-I (Thotavaripalem), Chirala-II, Chirala-III (Devangapuri), Chirala-IV (RKpuram), Kothapatnam, Martur, Papaipalli (Kanigiri)
7	Nellore	Chennur, Venkatachalam
8	Chittoor	Sri Vivekananda
9	YSR Kadapa	Dayankhanpalle, Shivalayam Nagar, Sri Tirumala, Sri Moragudi, Mydukuru, Srinivasa, Appanapalle
10	Ananthapuramu	Putlamma, Puttaparthi, Uravakonda

1) What are the existing Developmental and Welfare Schemes?

There are 2 training centres in Andhra Pradesh viz.

Integrated Handloom Development Scheme, Modernisation / Re-placement of Handlooms, Pavala Vaddi, Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana, Health Insurance Scheme 40% Yarn Subsidy Scheme etc.,

2) What is Pavala Vaddi Scheme?

This is a Scheme introduced by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies and APCO duly enhancing the Interest Subsidy to provide required Working Capital through Banks at concessional rate of Interest and to reduce the interest burden to the Societies. The Scheme is being implemented from 01-04-2008. The Government is reimbursing the Interest portion which is in excess of 3% per annum subject to a maximum reimbursement of 9.5% per annum by way of Interest Subsidy.