Lok Sabha Question No. 166 (STARRED), answered on 2017-07-27
Subject: Financial Support to Weavers/Artisans
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: KAVITHA KALVAKUNTLA

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *166 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2017

## FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO WEAVERS/ARTISANS

*166. SHRIMATI  KAVITHA  KALVAKUNTLA:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are schemes which financially support Weavers/Artisans in the handloom sector; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof ?

उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र मंरी ( ) MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

- (a) & (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *166  FOR  ANSWER  ON 27-07-2017

(a): Yes, Madam.

(b): The following schemes are being implemented by the Government of India through the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, which financially support handloom weavers in the handloom sector:-

## 1. NATIONAL HANDLOOM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (NHDP) :

NHDP  aims  at  the  development  of  handlooms  and  welfare  of handloom weavers through various interventions like cluster programme, marketing assistance, concessional credit etc.

## 2. YARN SUPPLY SCHEME (YSS):

Yarn Supply scheme is meant to make available all types of yarn at Mill Gate Price to the eligible handloom weavers so as to facilitate regular  supply  of  basic  raw  materials  to  the  handloom  sector  and help utilize the full employment potential of the sector. The scheme is  being  implemented  through  National  Handloom  Development Corporation,    a  Government  of  India  Undertaking.    Under  the scheme the freight is reimbursed and depot operating charges @2% is given to depot operating agencies.

## 3. COMPREHENSIVE  HANDLOOM  CLUSTER  DEVELOPMENT SCHEME:

The Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) aims at the integrated and holistic development of mega handloom  clusters,  having  at  least  15000  handlooms  per  cluster, with  financial  assistance  up  to  Rs.  40.00  crore  per  cluster  by  the Government of India.

## 4. HATHKARGHA SAMVARDHAN SAHAYATA (HSS):

on

Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata (HSS) was introduced 1 st December 2016 with an objective to provide looms/accessories to the weavers to enhance their earnings through improved productivity  and  quality  of  the  handloom  products.  Under  the scheme,  90%  of  the  cost  of  loom/accessory  is  borne  by  the Government  of  India while remaining 10%  is borne by the beneficiary. The Government of India's share is released directly in the Bank account of the beneficiary through designated agency.

## 5.  EDUCATION  OF  HANDLOOM  WEAVERS  AND  THEIR CHILDREN:

Ministry  of  Textiles  has  signed  Memorandums  of  Understanding with Indira Gandhi National Open  University  (IGNOU)  and National Institute of Open Schooling(NIOS) to secure educational facilities for the weavers and their families.  NIOS offers Secondary and Senior Secondary level education with specialized subjects on design,  marketing,  business  development,  etc.  through  distance learning  mode  for  handloom  weavers,  whereas  IGNOU  offers continuing  education  programs  through  accessible  and  flexible learning  opportunities  relevant  to  the  aspirations  of  handloom weavers and their children for career progression.

Ministry of Textiles is providing reimbursement of 75% of the fee towards  admission  to  NIOS/IGNOU  courses  in  case  of  SC,  ST, BPL, and Women  learners belonging to handloom weavers' families.

## 6. HANDLOOM  WEAVERS'  COMPREHENSIVE  WELFARE SCHEME :

This scheme has the following two components:-

- (i) Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana(MGBBY) for providing life insurance  cover  to  the  handloom  weavers  in  case  of natural  /  accidental  death,  total  /  partial      disability  due  to accident. Handloom Weavers in the age group of 18 - 50 years have  been  migrated  to  Pradhan  Mantri  Jeevan  Jyoti  Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana w.e.f.  1 st June,  2017,  whereas  Handloom  Weavers in the  age group of 51-59 years continue to get coverage under MGBBY.
- (ii) Health  Insurance  Scheme  (HIS)  for  providing  health  care facilities  to  the  handlooms  weavers  in  the  country  have  been subsumed  in the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima  Yojana  since 29 th March, 2016.

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