KARIMNAGAR: Fresh crisis is looming large in Sircilla, the Sholapur of Andhra, with erratic power supply rendering powerloom weavers jobless.

The production of fabric has slackened considerably, denying wages to the weavers.

On an average, a powerloom weaver earns Rs. 80 to Rs. 100 per day if there is uninterrupted power supply. A weaver is given 60 paise to 80 paise per metre cloth produced on powerlooms. Now, wages have come down to Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 per day because of less production of fabric on the looms. A weaver usually makes about 180 metres daily on powerlooms. Now it has come down to 70 to 80 metres per day.

At present, 25,000 powerlooms are functioning in Sircilla, employing over 20,000 weavers. Many others are employed in allied sectors such as dyeing, warping etc.

Hide and seek?

Venkatesham, a powerloom weaver of Sircilla, blame it all on powercuts. "I start working on the looms and suddenly power goes off. When I return home, the supply is restored. When I go back to the looms, the power is off again. It is playing hide and seek with the lives of weavers," he said.

S Mallesham, the Powerlooms Workers Association president, said that the powercuts varied from five to six hours daily. If the situation continues for another week, the weavers' plight would turn more pathetic. This may even lead to a spate of suicides, he pointed out.

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