Lok Sabha Question No. 3284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-12
Subject: Welfare Schemes for Handloom Weavers
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Nishikant  Dubey

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3284 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.07.2019

## WELFARE SCHEMES FOR HANDLOOM WEAVERS

3284.  DR.NISHIKANT DUBEY:

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

- a) Whether the Government proposes to revive, promote and develop handloom and handicrafts sectors in Jharkhand and other parts of the country;
- b) If so, the details thereof;
- c) It not, the reasons therefor;
- d) The  details  of  the  funds  allocated,  released  and  spent  under  various  welfare schemes  for  handloom  weavers  during  the  last  three  years,  State-wise  including Jharkhand; and
- e) The success achieved so far in providing marketing facilities to the weavers and the total number of weavers benefited during the said period, State-wise?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( श्रीमती स्मृ तत ज़ूबिन इरानी )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): Government of India, Ministry of Textiles is implementing following schemes to revive, promote and develop handlooms and handicrafts sectors in Jharkhand and other parts of the country:-

## (A) Handloom Sector:

- 1) Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)
- 2) National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
- 3) Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)
- 4) Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS)

## 1. Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme:

Handloom  Weavers  Comprehensive  Welfare  Scheme  (HWCWS)  is  providing  Life, accidental and disability insurance coverage to handloom weavers/workers under the components Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha  Bima  Yojana(PMSBY)  and  Converged  Mahatma  Gandhi  Bunkar  Bima Yojana(MGBBY).

## 2. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP):

- (i) 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.

- (ii) Weaver  MUDRA  Scheme: Under  the  Weavers'  Mudra  Scheme,  credit  at concessional interest rate of 6% is provided to the handloom weavers.  Margin money assistance to a maximum of Rs.10,000 per weaver and credit guarantee for a period of 3 years is also provided. MUDRA portal has been developed in association  with  Punjab  National  Bank  to  cut  down  delay  in  disbursement  of funds for margin money and interest subvention.
- (iii) Block Level Cluster Introduced in 2015-16 as one of the components of National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP). Financial assistance upto Rs.2.00 crore  per  BLC  for  various  interventions  such  as  skill  upgradation,  Hathkargha Samvardhan  Sahayata, product development, construction of workshed, project management cost, design development, setting up of common facility centre (CFC) etc. is provided. Besides, financial assistance upto Rs.50.00 lakh is also available for setting up of one dye house at district level.
- (iv) Hathkargha  Samvardhan  Sahayata  (HSS): Hathkargha  Samvardhan  Sahayata (HSS)  was  introduced  on  1st  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.
- (v) Handloom  Marketing Assistance is one of the components  of National Handloom Development Programme.  In order to provide marketing platform to the handloom agencies/weavers to sell their products directly to the consumers, financial  assistance  is  provided  to  the  States/eligible  handloom  agencies  for organising marketing events in domestic as well as overseas markets.
- (vi) I ndia Handloom Brand :  During  the  celebration  of  7th  August  2015  as  National Handloom  Day,  'India  Handloom'  Brand  was  launched  by  Hon'ble  Prime Minister for branding of high quality handloom products. It promotes production of niche handloom products with high quality, authentic traditional designs with zero defect and zero effect on environment. Since its launch, 1232 registrations have been issued under 122 product categories and sale of Rs. 689.72 crore as reported on 31-03-2019.

Initiatives  with  various  leading  brands  has  been  undertaken  to  bring  out  a separate range of handloom garments in their brand.

- (vii) E-Commerce : In order to promote e-marketing of handloom products, a policy frame work was designed and under which any willing e-commerce platform with  good  track  record  can  participate  in  online  marketing  of  handloom products. Accordingly, 23 e-commerce entities have been engaged for on-line marketing  of  handloom  products.  A  total  sales  of  Rs.34.72  crore  has  been reported through the online portal as on 31-03-2019.
- (viii) Urban Haats are set up in the big towns/metropolitan cities to provide adequate direct  marketing  facilities  to  the  craft  persons/weavers  and  eliminate  middle agencies.  38 such Urban Haats have been sanctioned across the country so far.
- (ix) Sant  Kabir  Award is  conferred  to  outstanding  handloom  weavers  who  are carrying  on  with  the  tradition  and  have  made  valuable  contribution  to  the development of the sector. Since 2012 to 2016, 24 SantKabir Awards have been conferred to the handloom weavers.
- (x) National  Award is  conferred  to  handloom  weavers  in  recognition  of  their outstanding craftsmanship contribution and development of handloom weaving. This recognition encourage them to continue with the work in a more enthusiastic and productive manner.  Since 2012 to 2016, National Awards have been conferred to 102 handloom weavers across the country.

From  the  year  2016,  two  SantKabir  Awards,  four  National  Awards  and  four National Merit Certificates awards have also been instituted exclusively to the women  handloom  weavers in  addition  to the existing  SantKabir  Awards, National  Awards  and  National  Merit  Certificate  in  the  field  of  weaving.  This exclusive  award  to  the  women  handloom weavers  is  named  as  ' Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay - Awards'. 7 such awards were conferred to women handloom weavers  during  National  Handloom  Day  celebrated  at  Jaipur  on  7 th   August 2018.

## 3. Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme:

The Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) is implemented  for  development  of  Mega  Handloom  Clusters  covering  atleast 15000 to 25,000 handlooms and financial assistance as GoI share from Rs.40.00 to Rs.70.00  crore  is  in  a  period  of  5  years.    8  mega  handloom  clusters  taken  up  as announced  in  the  Budgets  i.e. Varanasi, Sivasagar (2008-09), Virudhunagar, Murshidabad  (2009-10),  Prakasam&  Guntur  districts  and  Godda  &  neighboring districts (2012-13), Bhagalpur & Trichy (2014-15).

Under  the  scheme,  components  like  conducting  Diagnostic  Study,  engaging Designer, Product Development, Corpus for raw material, Construction of Worksheds (for BPL/SC/ST/Women weavers), Skill up-gradation etc. are fully funded by Government of India, while the components like Technology up-gradation, Design Studio, including the Computer Aided Design System,Marketing Complex, Value Addition (setting up of garment unit), CommonInfrastructure, Publicity etc., are funded by the GOI to the extent of 80%.

## 4. Yarn Supply Scheme:

Yarn  Supply  Scheme  is  being  implemented  throughout  the  country  to  make available all  types  of  yarn  at  Mill  Gate  Price.    The  scheme  is  being  implemented through National Handloom Development Corporation.  Under the Scheme freight is  reimbursed  and  depot  operating  charges  @2%  is  given  to  depot  operating agencies.    A  component  of  10%  price  subsidy  also  exists  on  hank  yarn,  which  is applicable on cotton, domestic silk and woollen yarn  with quantity caps.

## (B) Handicrafts Sector:

- 1) National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP)
- 2) Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)

## 1. National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP):

- (i) Base  Line  Survey  &  Mobilization  of  Artisans  under  Ambedkar  Hastship  Vikas Yojana : The Scheme aims to promote Indian handicrafts by developing artisans' clusters  into  professionally  managed  and  self-reliant  community  enterprise  on the principles of effective member participation and mutual cooperation.
- (ii) Design & Technology upgradation (DTU): The Scheme aims to upgrade artisan's skills  through  development  of  innovative  designs  and  prototypes  products  for overseas market, revival of endangered crafts and preservation of heritage etc.
- (iii) Human  Resource  Development  (HRD): The  Scheme  has  been  formulated  to provide qualified and trained workforce to the handicraft sector.
- (iv) Direct  Benefit  to  Artisans  (DBA): The  Scheme  envisages  welfare  measures  like Health  and  Life  insurance,  recognition,  extending  credit  facilities,  supply  of modern tools and equipment to the artisans etc.
- (v) Infrastructure and Technology Support (ITS): The Scheme aims to development of world class infrastructure in the country to support handicraft production, and enhance the product quality and cost to enable it to compete in the global market.
- (vi) Research  and  Development  (R&D): The  Scheme  was  introduced  to  conduct surveys and studies of important crafts and make in-depth analysis of specific aspects and problems of Handicrafts in order to generate useful inputs to aid policy planning and fine tune the ongoing initiatives.
- (vii) Marketing Support & Services (MSS): The Scheme was introduced to promote and  provide  financial  assistance  is  provided to artisans to participate  in domestic and international craft exhibitions/seminars in metropolitan cities/state capitals / places of tourist or commercial interest/other places.

## 2. Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS):

- (i) Mega  Cluster  (MC): Mega  cluster  approach  is  a  drive  to  scale  up  the infrastructural and production chain at Handicrafts clusters. The prospects of this sector  lie  in  infrastructural  upgradation,  modernization  of  the  machinery  and

product  diversification  and  Innovative  manufacturing  as  well  as,  furthered  by brand building of the native products hold the key to creating a niche market for the products manufactured by the clusters.

- (ii) Special Projects under Integrated Development and Promotion of Handicraft(IDPH): The scheme was introduced to provide adequate infrastructure for production, value addition and quality assurance for handicrafts  and  to  develop  handicrafts  as  a  sustainable  and  remunerative livelihood option for artisans in the state.
- (c): Does not arise.

(d): Budgetary allocation of funds is not made State-wise.  However, indicative physical targets are allotted to States and funds are released based on viable proposals received and utilisation of previous funds. The details of Scheme-wise funds allocated, released/spent under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) during the last three years, including the State of Jharkhand is at  Annexure-I.

Under the Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme and Yarn Supply Scheme, the funds are released to the implementing agencies i.e. LIC of India and NHDC respectively.  The details of funds allocated and released/spent during the last three years is as under:

|   S. No. | Name of the Scheme                             |   Funds allocated |   Funds released/spent |
|----------|------------------------------------------------|-------------------|------------------------|
|       01 | Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme |             63.55 |                  53.59 |
|       02 | Yarn Supply Scheme                             |            616.91 |                 588.03 |

The  above  funds  released  to  the  implementing  agencies  as  per  the  proposals initiated by them and utilization of the previously released funds.

(e): For  providing  marketing  facility  to  the  weavers,  Government  of  India  has  been implementing Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA), all across India including the State of Jharkhand. The scheme provides marketing platform to the handloom weavers/organisatons to sell their products directly to the consumers. Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to National Level Handloom Organisations and nominated handloom  agencies  of  the  State  Government  to  organize  the  marketing  events  like National Handloom Expos (NHEs), Special Handloom Expos (SHEs) and District Level Events (DLEs)  etc.  In  addition,  Marketing  Incentive  is  also  provided  to  eligible  Handloom organizations in the ratio of 50:50 between GoI & State Govt. (10% of the average sales turnover of the last 3 years).  The total number of weavers benefitted through marketing events and sales generated thereof, State-wise during the last three years is at Annexure-II.

## ANNEXURE -I

## Statement referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3284 for answer on 12.07.2019

| S. No.   | Name of the States   | Funds released/ spent during 2016- 17 to 2018-19 (Rs. in Crore)   |
|----------|----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradesh       | 23.56                                                             |
| 2        | Bihar                | 5.63                                                              |
| 3        | Chhattishgarh        | 1.22                                                              |
| 4        | Delhi                | 0.22                                                              |
| 5        | Himachal Pradesh     | 2.49                                                              |
| 6        | Haryana              | 0.04                                                              |
| 7        | Gujarat              | 3.56                                                              |
| 8        | Kerala               | 1.15                                                              |
| 9        | Madhya Pradesh       | 3.00                                                              |
| 10       | Maharashtra          | 2.78                                                              |
| 11       | Jammu & Kashmir      | 4.82                                                              |
| 12       | Jharkhand            | 11.00                                                             |
| 13       | Karnataka            | 2.61                                                              |
| 14       | Orissa               | 12.96                                                             |
| 15       | Rajasthan            | 0.81                                                              |
| 16       | Tamilnadu            | 95.08                                                             |
| 17       | Telangana            | 2.93                                                              |
| 18       | Uttar Pradesh        | 23.99                                                             |
| 19       | Uttarakhand          | 0.90                                                              |
| 20       | West Bengal          | 22.03                                                             |
|          | Total                | 220.78                                                            |
|          | NER                  |                                                                   |
| 21       | Arunachal Pradesh    | 2.480                                                             |
| 22       | Assam                | 49.10                                                             |
| 23       | Manipur              | 4.32                                                              |
| 24       | Mizoram              | 1.77                                                              |
| 25       | Nagaland             | 4.16                                                              |
| 26       | Meghalaya            | 0.08                                                              |
| 27       | Sikkim               | 0.97                                                              |
| 28       | Tripura              | 1.46                                                              |
|          | Total                | 64.34                                                             |
|          | Grand Total          | 285.12                                                            |

## Statement referred to in reply to part (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.3284 for answer on 12.07.2019

Sales generated

|         |                   | During 2016-17 to 2018-19   | During 2016-17 to 2018-19     |
|---------|-------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Sl. No. | Name of States    | No. of weavers benefited    | Sales generated (Rs. in lakh) |
| 1       | Andhra Pradesh    | 62000                       | 2704.94                       |
| 2       | Bihar             | 17000                       | 1995.62                       |
| 3       | Chandigarh        | 11000                       | 1349.84                       |
| 4       | Chhatisgarh       | 21000                       | 1812.84                       |
| 5       | Delhi             | 143540                      | 15882.15                      |
| 6       | Gujarat           | 22000                       | 3430.93                       |
| 7       | Haryana           | 17000                       | 3896.73                       |
| 8       | Himachal Pradesh  | 2000                        | 56.82                         |
| 9       | J&K               | 18000                       | 6924.22                       |
| 10      | Jharkhand         | 6000                        | 535.66                        |
| 11      | Karnataka         | 47000                       | 1812.95                       |
| 12      | Kerala            | 6000                        | 532.56                        |
| 13      | Madhya Pradesh    | 38490                       | 4580.83                       |
| 14      | Maharashtra       | 45000                       | 7051.12                       |
| 15      | Orissa            | 55700                       | 5951.42                       |
| 16      | Punjab            | 16000                       | 441.80                        |
| 17      | Rajasthan         | 28070                       | 1531.95                       |
| 18      | Tamilnadu         | 56100                       | 2045.11                       |
| 19      | Telengana         | 69000                       | 3193.76                       |
| 20      | Uttar Pradesh     | 100450                      | 5029.34                       |
| 21      | Uttarakhand       | 20820                       | 920.14                        |
| 22      | West Bengal       | 16200                       | 1630.63                       |
| 23      | Arunachal Pradesh | 13000                       | 159.95                        |
| 24      | Assam             | 93500                       | 6543.45                       |
| 25      | Meghalaya         | 2000                        | 70.20                         |
| 26      | Manipur           | 17000                       | 664.39                        |
| 27      | Mizoram           | 14500                       | 697.41                        |
| 28      | Nagaland          | 39900                       | 863.76                        |
| 29      | Sikkim            | 16000                       | 615.43                        |
| 30      | Tripura           | 39930                       | 652.50                        |
|         | TOTAL             | 1054200                     | 83578.45                      |

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