2. Details of District Nodal Officer, Nodal Department and Dedicated team for ODOP:

3. Dedicated helpline or call center/ support desk for ODOP:

4. List of activities being undertaken by district administration under ODOP initiative:

Smt. Nirmala Seetharaman Garu, Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, GoI visited Ponduru Village on the occasion to celebrate the National Handloom Day on 07.08.2021, in that event addressed that Union Government is contemplating to establish the Mega Handloom Cluster to enhance the brand value of Ponduru Khadi & Handloom Products. And instructed the District Collector, Srikakulam to prepare and submit Detailed Project Report for setting up Common Facility Centres, Design Banks, Upgradation of existing looms, modern printing infrastructure, building robust marketing channels etc.

Smt. Nirmala Seetharaman Garu, Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, GoI and Sri Tammineni Seetharam Garu Hon’ble Speaker of Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly interacting with Khadi Spinners in Ponduru.

Foundation Stone for workshed to Khadi Spinners in Ponduru

Smt. Nirmala Seetharaman Garu, Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, GoI laid a foundation stone for workshed to Khadi Spinners in Ponduru

In order to improve the life conditions of weaver artisans and to safeguard the livelihood of weavers and to preserve the traditional weaving art from extinction and to support the Khadi and Village Industry of Srikakulam the Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam has been instructed to all the employees in the district have to wear Khadi and Handloom apparels especially produced in the Srikakulam district on every first Monday of every month.

In order to achieve the remunerative prices for weavers and to create the brand value of Khadi and Handloom clothes, Nirmala Seetharaman Garu, Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs, GoI has issued instructions to the Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam to provide marketing facilities to the weavers by conducting District Level Handloom Exhibitions.

Accordingly, the District Administration has conducted an exhibition for (3) days from 27.08.2021 to 29.08.2021 and from 10.01.2023 to 12.01.2023 (3) days at Kalinga Vysya Kalyanamandapam, Srikakulam to provide Marketing facilities to the Handloom and Khadi Products with the aid of District Collector funds.

District Level Handloom Exhibitions

District Level Handloom Exhibitions

The Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam conducted an awareness campaign and Handloom Walk with the weaver artisans, people and weaver representatives in the Main Road of Srikakulam town on the occasion of National Handloom Day on 7^th of August, 2022 and also conducted Buyers Sellers Meet at NGO Home, Srikakulam for exhibit and promoting Handloom products.

The Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam inaugurated an Exhibition cum Sale conducted by NABARD at Srikakulam.

Micro Enterprise Development Programme conducted one week training programme and Certificates awarded on Weaving, Spinning to the weaver artisans. Charkas and other loom accessories were distributed by the Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam to the weavers of Ponduru area in collaboration with NABARD and DRDA. These Tool Kits were very useful to the weaver artisans in producing quality Handloom Products.

The Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam distributed certificates and Charkas to the weavers

The Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam distributed certificates and Charkas to the weavers

The Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam accorded permission to establish (1) APCO sales outlet/stall in the premises of the District Collectorate Complex.

In the sales outlet, all the Handloom Products including Ponduru varieties are available with discount prices. This outlet is very accessible to all the Government employees and the visitors of the District Collector’s Office from all corners of the district.

APCO Stall at District Collector Office, Srikakulam

As per the directions of the Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam, the District Handlooms and Textiles Officer, Srikakulam has prepared (3) DPRs of Cluster Development Programme’s and submitted the same to the Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles, A.P., Amaravathi with a request to place before the SLPC for sanction. Based on the proposals submitted by the Commissioner of Handlooms and Textiles, A.P., Amaravathi, the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, New Delhi has sanctioned (3) Cluster Development Programmes at Ponduru Mandal (Ponduru 1, Ponduru 2 and Tholapi Villages) covering (574) beneficiaries with Project cost of Rs.296.99 Lakhs and released fund of Rs.90.216 Lakhs as 1^st installment under National handloom Development Progamme for the Financial Year 2022-23. The details are as below:

Hon’ble Speaker for State Legislative Assembly Sri Tammineni Seetharam Garu attended the Cluster awareness programme of Ponduru 1 and Ponduru 2 CDPs at Ponduru Village.

Hon’ble Speaker for State Legislative Assembly Sri Tammineni Seetharam Garu attended the Cluster awareness programme of Ponduru 1 and Ponduru 2 CDPs at Ponduru Village.

Further the Development Commissioner of Handlooms, GoI, New Delhi has been accorded sanction for conduct of District Handloom Expo under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) for the year 2022-23 to Srikakulam district from 19.03.2023 to 25.03.2023 (07 days). The District Handlooms and Textiles Officer, Srikakulam has conducted the District Level Handloom Exhibition cum Sales at Town Hall, Srikakulam from 19.03.2023 to 25.03.2023 (07 days). (25) Primary Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies were participated from all over the state to exhibit and sell their Handloom Products.

Weavers offering Talapaaga to Sri Bramarambha Mallikharjuna Swamy Vari Devasthanam, Srisailam on the eve of Mahashivaratri

5. Details of ODOP sensitization of Workshops being conducted for current stakeholders and next generation stakeholders:

The Collector and District Magistrate, Srikaulam has conducted meetings with the Weaver representatives of the district for creating brand name as Sikkolu and promoting the  Ponduru Products and to provide marketing facilities to the weavers.

• Department of Handlooms and Textiles has been conducting Monthly workshops with weavers of Ponduru Village by the Development Officers and Assistant Development Officers of the department with the current stakeholders.
• As per the instructions of the Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam vide Rc.No.1442/2022/H3, Dt.10.09.2022, the Department of Handlooms and Textiles conducted internship programme with the (10) undergraduate students who have chosen Handloom sector to undergo internship for the period of (2) months at Ponduru Village. They have interacted with the weavers and cooperative societies examined the weaving process and learned about the new designs and export quality products in the ponduru area and also examined the Handloom Cloth business structure.

Weavers Cooperative Society, Ponduru.

Internship

The Development Officer, Handlooms and Textiles, Srikakulam and the Manager of Sri Saibaba WCS, Ponduru and the Pricinpal of System Degree College had provided internship to the undergraduate students at Ponduru Village and in the O/o the Sri Saibaba Weavers Cooperative Society, Ponduru for a period of (2) Months

6. List of mentors registered with District to provide mentorship to Beneficiaries:

• Two Cluster Development Executives and One Textile Designer was appointed to Ponduru 1 & Ponduru 2 Cluster Development Programmes under National Handloom Development Programme for a period of (3) years providing remuneration @ Rs.30,000/- P.M.
• The Designer has to ensure marketing, promotion and support for sales of the new product/samples developed. The Designers may also be evaluated quarterly. The emphasis however must be on the quality of designs, design intervention and increase in sales/orders.
• The CDE should interact with the stake holders on daily basis and collect their data along with their professional needs, their present working conditions, skills, living conditions, products being produced, their wages earning, aptitude to learn new technique, adoptability to switch over to new techniques enthusiasm to undertake the production of new products and financial conditions of the weavers in the area and report to the Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Mangalagiri/DHTO Concerned.
• The CDE shall prepare the list of Handloom weavers who are in the age group up to 40 years age in the given area and organize them in to Groups to undergo training is required disciplines such as Weaving, Designing and dyeing and submit proposals to the Director of Handlooms and Textiles, Mangalagiri/DHTO Concerned to sanction trainings as required.
• The CDE shall take scout the required looms and accessories suppliers of raw material required for training Dyes and chemicals including CATD and take steps for developing Prototype designs both paper and real and make them ready for the usage of weavers of the cluster besides educating the weavers on producing the new designs and also take steps for the product development.
• Cluster Development Executive is responsible for the stake holders weaving conditions, wages earning, production varieties, type of loom, accessories being used such as Jacquard, dobbies, etc., photographs taken on various occasions, interviews with weavers about their wages earning, activities undertaken by consortium and the cluster expectations of the weavers etc.
• To collect the data of all eligible, non-defaulters and willing Handloom weavers and weaver entrepreneurs who are eligible for MUDRA Loan under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana in the Cluster Development Programme and to submit list to the  Implementing Agency/DHTO concerned.

7. Details by Account Holder of all transactions (sales):

• Two Societies providing marketing facilities to the Handloom Products mainly Ponduru Cotton Sarees, Dhoties, Ponduru Khadi Shirting and Uppers etc. The Annual sales are approximately Rs.3.75 crores.
• Master Weavers are also providing marketing facilities to the Handloom Products woven by the weavers and spinners. The Annual sales are nearly Rs.1.15 crores.
• Andhra Pradesh State Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society (APCO) is Procuring Handloom Cloth from the Weavers Cooperative Societies and providing Marketing Facility to the Societies. Thereby providing continuous employment to the Handloom Weavers in Ponduru Village.

8. Mentorship support available with clearly laid out procedures to avail the same:

• The Development Officers and Assistant Development Officers of Handlooms and Textiles Department are regularly supervising the weavers and Weavers Cooperative Societies and create awareness programmes on welfare schemes implementing by the State and Central Governments. And they are trying hard to enhance their wages and to upgrade the livelihood of the weavers.
• Conduct of Skill up-gradation programmes in weaving, dyeing, designing etc. to the Weavers in the Ponduru Mandal shall be conducted under SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector). Under NHDP, financial assistance @ Rs.300/- per day/per trainee shall be provided as wage loss compensation for training under SAMARTH. The wage loss compensation shall be released to WSC under skill up-gradation programme.

The Development Officers and Assistant Development Officers of Handlooms and Textiles Department will supervise the implementation of  training programme under SAMARTH scheme.

9. Funding support available with clearly laid out procedures to avail the same:

i) YSR Nethanna Nestham Scheme

Government of Andhra Pradesh is implementing Y.S.R.Nethanna Nestham Scheme from the year 2019-20. Under the scheme, the Handloom Weavers are availing financial assistance of Rs.24,000/- (Rupees Twenty Four Thousand Only) per annum to every family who owns a Handloom to modernize their equipment and compete with the Powerloom sector. (1400) weavers are benefitting under this scheme. This scheme is useful for producing ODOP Products.

The Collector and District Magistrate, Srikakulam awarded 5th phase of YSR Nethanna Nestham Scheme cheque for the year 2023-24 to the Weaver beneficiaries of Srikakulam district

ii) YSR Pension Kanuka

The State Government providing YSR Pension Kanuka Scheme to (3850) Weavers who have completed (50) years of age is getting monthly pension of Rs.2750/- through Village/ Ward Secretariats.

Weaver receiving pension from Volunteer through Village Secretariat at Ponduru Village

iii) Cluster Development Programme

Under National Handloom Development Programme, GoI have sanctioned (2) Cluster Development Programmes viz. Ponduru 1, Ponduru 2 for a period of (3) years with an amount of Rs.204.98 Lakhs and benefitting (463) Handloom Weavers of Ponduru area. This Cluster Development Programme is useful for Product Development, Exposure Visit and Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata Scheme (under this scheme financial assistance shall be provided for upgradation looms/ accessories of the Handloom Weavers so as to improve quality of the fabric and productivity and reduce drudgery. (21) list of items will be provided to (252) individual weavers, one item is admissible to one weaver beneficiary. The Cost Sharing of HSS items shall be in the ration of 90% by the GoI and 10% by the weaver beneficiary).

• Under the scheme, for construction of individual Worksheds financial assistance shall be provided to the (16) weaver families for an amount of Rs.1.20 lakhs per unit (measuring 25 Sq.Mts) in the cluster area. (Funding pattern for BPL/ SC/ST/ Women / Differently abled beneficiaries – 100% share by the GoI).

iv) Pradhan Mantri Weavers Mudra Scheme (Concessional Credit):

The Government of India is implementing “Pradhana Mantri Weavers Mudra Scheme” for providing adequate and timely assistance from the Banks to the Handloom sector to meet the term loans and working capital. At concessional interest rate of 6% for a period of (3) years. Marginal Money Assistance @ 20% of loan amount subject to maximum of Rs.25,000/- per individual Handloom Weaver. In Ponduru Village (250) Weavers were benefitted under the scheme.

v) PMJJBY(Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyothi Bima Yojana), PMSBY(Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana):

The PMJJBY is an insurance scheme offering life insurance cover for death, due to any reason. The life cover is for a year from 1st June to 31st May and is renewable on year to year basis. All handloom weavers/workers’ in the age group of 18-50 years are eligible for the scheme. An amount of Rs.2.00 lakhs will be payable on beneficiary’s death due to any cause, for one year insurance coverage period from 1st June to 31st May. The annual premium of Rs.436/- will be shared as under: GoI share Rs.198/- State Govt./Beneficiary’s share Rs.238/- Total Premium Rs.436/- .

The PMSBY is an insurance scheme offering accidental insurance cover for death or disability. This cover is for a year from 1st June to 31st May and is renewable on year to year basis. All handloom weavers/workers in the age group of 18-70 years are eligible for the scheme. The benefits of the scheme are, Accidental Death Rs.2,00,000/-, Permanent Total Disability Rs.2,00,000/-, Permanent Partial Disability Rs.1,00,000/-. The entire annual premium of Rs.20/- will be borne by the Govt. of India

vi) Other Welfare Schemes to weavers implementing by the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh

a) 40% Yarn Subsidy Scheme: The Government of Andhra Pradesh enhanced Yarn Subsidy from 20% to 40% on purchase of Hank Yarn and Dyes and Chemicals from NHDC and APCO to Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies in the State with effect from 01.04.2019 i.e., 1^st quarter of 2019-20.

• Out of the amount sanctioned as 40% yarn subsidy, 75% amount will be credited directly to the weaver members’ Bank Accounts of the concerned primary weavers cooperative societies as production bonus basing on the wages earned by them: and the Weavers of Ponduru area are benefitting financial assistance with 40% Yarn subsidy scheme on DBT basis providing by the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh quarterly.
• The Societies shall utilize the remaining 25% amount for giving Rebate on sales or for any other production related purpose.

b) Thrift Fund: Under Thrift Fund Scheme, on contribution of 8% of wages by the Handloom Weaver, the State Government shall contribute 16% of the wages earned by each weaver subscriber quarterly. The Weavers of Ponduru area are availing State Govt. matching share of 16% through the Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Andhra Pradesh.

c) Raw Material Supply Scheme: To make available quality yarn & their blends to the eligible Handloom weavers at subsidized rates (15%). To set the benchmark price and quality of yarn in the open market so that price remains within reasonable limits; consistent supply and quality parameters are maintained in the market. To overcome the poor dyeing facilities in the sector, supply of dyed yarn by Implementing Agency(IA), helping weaver in product diversification, and hence marketability of produce. To facilitate handloom weavers’ engagement in the sector, help competing with Mill Sector, as handloom productivity is less compared to powerloom.

10. Details of rules, regulations, Acts, Govt. Schemes introduced or amended to propel the ODOP initiative in the district:

• Sri Saibaba Primary Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society having Handloom Mark Registration Number vide TC/GVN/HLM/67/30043 which is helpful for identifying unique Ponduru Handloom Products i.e., Ponduru Cotton Sarees, Khadi Shirting, Dhoties, Uppers etc.,
• The Andhra Fine Khadi Kaarmikaabhivruddhi Sangham, Ponduru having registered Sl.No. SZO/193 under Khadi Mark Certificate issued by the Chairman, Zonal Khadi Mark Committee, South Zone, KVIC, Bangalore and also the KVIC have issued Certificate No.AP-0002 valid upto 31.03.2026 issued by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, South Zone, KVIC.
• The Andhra Fine Khadi Kaarmikaabhivruddhi Sangham, Ponduru having registered Sl.No. SZO/193 under Khadi Mark Certificate issued by the Chairman, Zonal Khadi Mark Committee, South Zone, KVIC, Bangalore and also the KVIC have issued Certificate No.AP-0002 valid upto 31.03.2026 issued by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, South Zone, KVIC.

11. Details of Quality Assurance Labs/ Certification Labs/ Processing Units/ Quality Infrastructure with Contact Details:

• The Textile Committee from Hyderabad annually inspecting the Khadi industry, Khadi Mark & Certificate, Silk Yarn Purchase Bills, Weavers and Spinners list, Production Centres List and also collects product samples for quality testing.
• The Technical Officers of the Apex Society, APCO conducts quality test [width, height, ends per inch, picks per inch, fabric count, production record, yarn bills, appraiser record, color fastness etc.] while procuring the Handloom Cloth from Sri Saibaba Weavers Cooperative Society, Ponduru.
• Government of Andhra Pradesh providing Quality Dyeing Units and Handloom Development Centers established in weaver concentrated areas like Ponduru and other prominent areas to produce quality Handloom products for trading domestic and international purpose.
• The Textile Committee from Hyderabad annually verify the Khadi Mark.
• The APEX Society, i.e., APCO indicated in its specifications includes Variety code, HSN code issued by the authority to produce by its norms. Basing on the norms, the quality and standardization of Products outreach the market.

12. Details of departments providing institutional support to beneficiaries availing support under ODOP initiative:

• The Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh have been running an institute i.e., Sri Praga Kotaiah Memorial Indian Institute of Handloom Technology at Venkatagiri offering (3) years diploma course in Handloom Technology since 1992, which is imparting training in Weaving, Colouring, Designing, Textile Testing and Apparel Garments making technology. The passed out students are being appointed as Cluster Development Executives, Designers in the Cluster Development Programmes which are sanctioned by the Ministry of Textiles, GoI for developing new designs and Technology upgradation in Handloom Products.
• Weavers’ Service Center, Vijayawada providing institutional support in skill up-gradation, capacity building and disseminating the technological interventions for reducing the drudgery to the handloom weavers and better productivity, thereby improving earning of the weavers.They provide design input to the weavers through their designers,arrange training  programmes for the weavers    in  various   pre weaving , weaving and post weaving   disciplines such as winding, warping, sizing dyeing,  dobby  jacquard pneumatic weaving, design making (CAD), dyeing,  etc.  WSCs also sponsor weavers in various trade fairs, Expos, to help them in establishing direct market linkages. 
• Village and Ward Secretariats play a vital role in registrations of YSR Nethanna Nestham Scheme, YSR Pension Kanuka, YSR Bheema and all other welfare schemes implementing by the State and Central Governments. Through the Village and Ward Secretariats the weavers are benefitting all the welfare schemes easily in a transparent way.