Lok Sabha Question No. 929 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Covid-19 Pandemic Impact on Handloom Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: C.N. Annadurai, Manjulata Mandal, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Ganesan Selvam, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Dhanush M Kumar, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Kuldeep Rai Sharma

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 929 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACT ON HANDLOOM SECTOR

929. SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

SHRIMATI MANJULATA MANDAL:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SELVAM G.:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

- (a) whether handloom sector has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic during the last two years and if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the  Government to constitute a committee to review the raw material supply system, marketing and credit facilities and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the production has also come down due to closure of marketing activities during the said period  and  if  so,  the  State-wise  details  thereof  including  the  state  of  Tamil  Nadu,  Odisha  and Maharashtra;
- (c) whether the income of weavers have also been extremely affected and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to declare an insurance scheme including a special package for the handloom weavers and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES

(SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) to (d): Due to unorganized and traditional nature of the handloom sector, data, pertaining to this sector is dispersed and largely unavailable for centralized quantification.

To address the issues faced by handloom workers during Covid-19 pandemic, the Government took the following steps across the country including the States of Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Maharashtra: -

- i. The  Government  of  India  announced  a  special  economic  package  viz.  Aatma  Nirbhar  Bharat Abhiyaan for  boosting economy of the country and making  India self-reliant. Relief and credit support measures were announced for various sectors to revive their businesses and were available to eligible weavers and Handloom Organizations also.
- ii. States and UTs were requested to direct their State Handloom Corporations/Cooperatives/Agencies to purchase the finished inventory available with the handloom weavers.
- iii. To  enhance  productivity,  marketing  capabilities  and  facilitate  better  incomes,  148  Handloom Producer  companies  (PCs)  have  been  formed  in  the  country,  which  bring  individuals  weavers together in a group.
- iv. Handloom weavers were onboarded on Government e-Market place to enable them to sell their products  directly  to  various  Government  Departments  and  organizations.  An  amendment  was introduced in rule 153 of General Financial Rule (GFR) 2017, according to which 'Of all items of textiles required by Central Government Departments, it shall be mandatory to make procurement of at least 20% from amongst items of handloom origin, from KVIC and/or Handloom Clusters such as Co-operative Societies, Self Help Group (SHG) Federations, Joint Liability Group (JLG), Producer Companies (PC), Corporations, etc. including Weavers having Pehchan Cards'.
- v. Handloom  Producers  were  facilitated  by  organizing  virtual  fairs  for  showcasing  Handloom products for B2B buyers/exports for Handloom Workers. 10 virtual fairs were organised in the year 2020-21 and 10 virtual fairs in 2021-22. Besides, 211 domestic marketing events were also organized  in  2021-22  in  different  parts  of  the  country  for  the  weavers  to  market  and  sell  their products.
- vi. Raw Material Supply Scheme is being implemented throughout the country to make quality Yarn available to Handloom weavers. Under the Scheme, freight charges are reimbursed for all types of yarn; and component of 15% price subsidy is there for cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, wool and linen yarn and blended yarn of natural fibres.
- vii. Provision  has  been  made  for  welfare  of  handloom  workers  through  life  &  accidental  insurance cover,  scholarships  for  higher  education  to  their  wards  etc.  The  guidelines  also  provide  for financial support for Awardee weavers above 60 years of age in indigent circumstances.
- viii. Under  Weavers'  MUDRA  Loan/Concessional  Credit  Scheme,  margin  money  assistance  for individual weaver and Handloom Organizations; interest subvention and credit guarantee fees on loans for a period of three years are provided.