Lok Sabha Question No. 4427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-22
Subject: Support to Traditional Handloom Weaving
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: BALASUBRAMANIAM SENGUTTUVAN

## SUPPORT TO TRADITIOINAL HANDLOOM WEAVING

## 4427. SHRI B. SENGUTTUVAN:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether her Ministry is aware that the towns of Kancheepuram, Gudiyattam, Arni and Pochampalli are traditionally known for handloom weaving employing hundreds of thousands of skilled workmen who have been involved in the art for generations and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether her Ministry presents awards to skilled handloom workers in Kancheepuram and Gudiyattam and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether her Ministry has any proposal to conduct  an International Expo showcasing  the handloom wear and materials manufactured in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether there is any proposal pending with her Ministry to organize an exhibition for the benefit of the manufacturers of lungies in Gudiyattam and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu in order to enable them to export their goods to the South Asian and South East Asian countries where they are in high demand and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र      मंरी (श्री

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a): According  to  the  third  handloom  census  2009-10,  there  are  3,52,321  handloom  weavers  and  allied workers in Tamil Nadu including towns of Kancheepuram, Gudiyattam, Arni and Pochampalli.
- (b): The awards are given yearly on merit after three tier selection process on national basis. Details are as follows:-

| S. No.   | Name of award                    | Total number of awards                                | Total number of awards   | Total number of awards   | Total number of awards   | Grand Total   |
|----------|----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|---------------|
| S. No.   | Name of award                    | Category                                              | General                  | Exclusively for women    | Total                    | Grand Total   |
| 1.       | Sant Kabir Award (SKA)           | Weaving                                               | 10                       | 02                       | 12                       | 12            |
| 2.       | National Award (NA)              | Weaving                                               | 20                       | 04                       | 24                       | 32            |
| 2.       | National Award (NA)              | Design Development for promotion of handloom products | 03                       | -                        | 03                       | 32            |
| 2.       | National Award (NA)              | Marketing of handloom products                        | 05                       | -                        | 05                       | 32            |
| 3.       | National Merit Certificate (NMC) | Weaving                                               | 20                       | 04                       | 24                       | 40            |
| 3.       | National Merit Certificate (NMC) | Design Development for promotion of handloom products | 06                       | -                        | 06                       | 40            |
| 3.       | National Merit Certificate (NMC) | Marketing of handloom products                        | 10                       | -                        | 10                       | 40            |
| Total    | Total                            | Total                                                 | Total                    | Total                    | Total                    | 84            |

((c) & (d): Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), is participating in international fairs every year in major  international markets  viz.  Germany,  France,  USA,  Japan,  Australia,  China,  Malaysia,  etc., showcasing handloom products manufactured in India including Tamil Nadu.

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