Hyderabad: In an effort to promote Siddipet's world famous Gollabhama sarees, the Telangana government has decided to initiate promotional measures to ensure succesful marketing mechanism for weavers.

On Wednesday, Handlooms and Textiles, IT & Panchayat Raj Minister KT Rama Rao and Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao conducted a review meeting at the Secretariat to address the issues faced by weavers from Siddipet, Sangareddy and neighbouring areas.

Despite the huge popularity of Siddipet handlooms, the Gollabhama saree weavers are discouraged by the rising prices. Their search for alternate income is the main reasons for the fading industry. One of the best hand-woven products, the sarees, sell for lower prices in the market.

It's pertinent to note that the Gollabhama saree unit has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the World Trade Organization Agreement for their quality, reputation and other characteristics.

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In November 2017, actress Akkineni Samantha, Telangana government's brand ambassador for handlooms gifted the a Gollabhama saree to US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump, who was in the city to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

After Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao promised to revive the weaving industry in 2014, this is the first time the Telangana government has turned its focus on the promotion of Gollabhama sarees. In the meeting, more than 30 weavers who specialise in weaving Gollabhama sarees were promised handloom equipment by Minister Harish Rao, besides initiating an action plan on promotion of handlooms under various welfare schemes like Nethannaku Cheyutha, Chenetha Mitra, modernisation of looms etc.

Also Read: Ivanka Trump’s Visit Puts Gollabhama Sarees In The Limelight

Minister KT Rama Rao directed the Textiles Department officials to construct a Weavers Cooperative Society buildings at Dubbaka, Cheryala and Siddipet. The minister floated the idea of implementation of loan waiver for weavers, alongside providing loans to weavers from Telangana State Finance Corporation.