Artisan welfare should extend beyond financial assistance, says A.P. Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan

Published 7 July 2026 · health

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday directed officials to strengthen welfare measures for handicraft artisans, with focus on healthcare, education, livelihood

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday directed officials to strengthen welfare measures for handicraft artisans, with focus on healthcare, education, livelihood security and improved marketing opportunities, during his visit to the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Mahotsavam-2026 at Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada. Pawan Kalyan spent more than three hours at the exhibition, visiting every stall, interacting with the artisans and reviewing a wide range of handcrafted products, including wooden carvings, metal artefacts, clay sculptures, handwoven fabrics, and other traditional crafts.

He enquired about the artisans’ income, production process, marketing challenges, and overall living conditions. He also sought details about their families, children’s education and healthcare needs, and invited suggestions on the measures the government could take to improve their welfare. Responding to the issues raised by the artisans, the Deputy Chief Minister instructed the officials to examine their grievances and take appropriate action. Pawan Kalyan emphasised that artisan welfare should extend beyond financial assistance and include comprehensive support for education, healthcare and long-term social security.

Highlighting the need to safeguard the health of artisans engaged in labour-intensive work, he directed the officials to formulate a programme for conducting comprehensive health check-ups and providing necessary medical assistance to handicraft workers across the State. Pawan Kalyan also stressed the need to improve the marketability of Lepakshi handicraft products through better packaging, branding and modern marketing strategies. He said integrating traditional craftsmanship with contemporary business practices would help Andhra Pradesh’s handicrafts gain greater recognition in he national and international markets.

Handlooms and Textiles Minister S. Savitha, Government Adviser Suchitra Ella, Special Chief Secretary R.P. Sisodia, Lepakshi Chairman Hari Prasad, Handlooms and Textiles Commissioner Rekha Rani, Lepakshi and MSME Managing Director Vishwa Manoharan, Andhra Pradesh Police Housing Corporation Chairman Kalyanam Siva Srinivas, Chief Conservator of Forests Chalapathi Rao, Adviser Mallikarjuna Rao, and APCO Managing Director Kanna Babu were among the senior officials who attended.