Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday, 7 August announced that a dedicated law for the protection of Backward Classes (BCs) will be enacted shortly, revealing that the draft BC Protection Act is already prepared. The announcement came during a government programme at Kothapeta village in Bapatla district, held to mark the 12th National Handloom Day.

BC Protection Act and Coalition Commitment

Naidu stated that the coalition government bears the responsibility of safeguarding Backward Classes and that the legislation is in an advanced stage of drafting. He did not specify an exact timeline for tabling the bill, but described its enactment as imminent. The announcement signals a legislative push aimed at formalising welfare guarantees for a politically significant constituency in the state.

Nethanna Sevalo Scheme: ₹179 Crore Released for Weavers

At the same event, the Chief Minister launched the 'Nethanna Sevalo' (In service of weavers) scheme, under which the government is providing a one-time financial assistance of ₹25,000 to each eligible weaver family. On the occasion, Naidu released ₹179 crore benefiting 71,536 weaver families across the state.

He described the scheme as evidence that the government is honouring not only its election promises but also delivering welfare measures beyond what was explicitly pledged. 'Handloom is not merely a profession; it is a symbol of Indian culture and an art form that makes the nation proud,' Naidu said, adding that Andhra Pradesh's diverse handloom traditions deserve sustained state support.

Broader Weaver Welfare: Electricity, Pensions, and Infrastructure

The government is already providing free electricity to weavers — up to 200 units per month for handloom families and up to 500 units for power loom units. This benefit currently covers 62,541 handloom families and 10,032 power loom units.

Under the 'NTR Pension Bharosa' scheme, weavers aged 50 and above receive a monthly pension of ₹4,000. As many as 85,000 weavers are enrolled, translating to a monthly outgo of ₹35 crore and an annual expenditure of ₹420 crore.

The government has also extended ₹79 crore in cash credit to 109 primary handloom cooperative societies. Infrastructure investments include a dedicated project in Uppada, a handloom park in Mangalagiri, a handloom and handicrafts museum at Sakhamuru in Amaravati, and a sustainable textile recycling unit in Visakhapatnam with an investment of ₹4,200 crore. Naidu noted that about 1.27 lakh people depend on the handloom sector for their livelihood in the state, with recognised clusters in Chirala, Venkatagiri, Dharmavaram, Uppada, Mangalagiri, Ponduru, Pedana, Srikalahasti, and Narsapuram.

Political Attack on YSRCP Over Capital Issue

Naidu used the occasion to target the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), alleging that the previous government left the state without a functioning capital and damaged its standing nationally. 'The previous rulers flip-flopped on the capital issue, played a game of splitting it into three parts, and devastated the state,' he said, referring to the earlier proposal to divide administrative functions across three cities.

He warned that fresh conspiracies were being hatched against Amaravati, dismissing claims he characterised as absurd. 'Just as a family needs a home, a State needs a capital,' Naidu asserted, reiterating his government's commitment to building Amaravati as a singular, world-class city.

What Comes Next

With the BC Protection Act draft reportedly ready, the government is expected to introduce the bill in the state legislature in the coming sessions. The scale of the weaver welfare package — spanning cash transfers, pension, electricity subsidies, and industrial infrastructure — suggests the administration is positioning welfare delivery as a central political plank ahead of future electoral cycles.