The State government to provide employment to powerloom weavers of Sircilla textile town has given bulk order for weaving 1.11 crore metres fabric worth Rs.45 crore for school uniform of various government schools across the State within 60 days in three phases.

Earlier governments had promised to provide employment to distressed weavers, especially when the powerloom sector was in crisis in 2001. In a first, the weavers are given a bulk order now.

Assistant Director (Handlooms and Textiles) A. Venkatesham said on Friday that school uniforms would be made by the powerloom weavers of 55 MACS (mutually aided cooperative societies) in the town.

A total of 7,383 powerlooms would be used to produce 33 lakh metres of cloth in 20 days in the first phase and the same would be handed over to the government. The remaining cloth would be given in two more phases. The grey cloth produced by the powerloom weavers would be given to the Telangana State Cooperative (TSCO) for dyeing, processing and printing.

The uniform colours would be decided by the respective district collectors or Rajiv Vidya Mission.

Welcoming the State government measures, AITUC leader S. Mallesham welcoming the state government measures said that the bulk orders would provide more employment to weavers and urged the government to place similar orders regularly.

The government has been planning to place regular orders with the powerloom weavers to meet the fabric requirement of various departments such as hospitals, TSRTC, Police Department and other industries.