Lok Sabha Question No. 355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Imitation of Solapur Chaddar Textiles
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde

## IMITATION OF SOLAPUR CHADDAR TEXTILES

## 355. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  reports  regarding  the  copying  and  imitation  of  Solapur Chaddar  Textiles  in  other  parts  of  the  country  thereby  leading  to  adverse  effects  on  the  local  textile industry in Solapur and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the measures being taken by the Government to protect the unique identity and intellectual property of Solapur Chaddar Textiles; and

(c) whether any initiatives are being planned or implemented to support the Solapur textile industry in terms of skill development, modernization and enhanced market access to counter this challenge and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) & (b): The  Solapur  Chaddar  is  GI  registered  product.  104  important  and  famous  traditional handloom products have been registered under the Geographical Indications (GI) of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Registered users of GI products have rights  under the Act to approach the respective police authorities to safeguard their interests against illegal manufacturing / marketing of GI registered handloom products.

The Government has been implementing the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985  for  production  of  reserved  items  only  on  Handlooms  and  to  protect  the  interest  of  handlooms weavers in the country. 11 textiles articles with some technical specifications are exclusively reserved for  production  on  handlooms.  Central  Assistance  is  provided  under  the  Scheme  to  eligible  State Governments  for  effective  implementation  of  the  Act.  Inspections  are  carried  out  in  the  field  by respective State Handloom Departments and field offices of the Central Government for enforcing the provisions of the Act.

The  Government  has  introduced  'Handloom  Mark'  to  identify  products  woven  on  handlooms. Awareness creation activities are carried out from time to time to popularise these measures.

(c) : The  following  initiatives  are  being  taken  by  the  Government  through  various  interventions  of National Handloom Development programme (NHDP) to support entire country including the Solapur District in Maharasthra in terms of modernization and enhanced market access:

- (i) Handloom  Marketing  Assistance  (HMA):  Marketing  events  has  been  organised  in  the domestic  and  international  arena  to  promote  the  handloom  products  including  Solapur Chaddar. In  addition,  'indiahandmade'-  e-commerce  portal  has  been  launched  to  promote e-marketing of handloom products.
- (ii) Cluster  Development  Programme  (CDP):  Need  based  financial  assistance  is  provided  for various interventions like product and design development, up-graded loom and accessories, solar  lighting  system,  workshed  etc.  on  receipt  of  complete  proposals  from  State/UTs Government to improve the socio-economic condition of handloom workers.

Further, need-based skill upgradation programmes for handloom workers in technical areas viz. weaving, dyeing/printing,  designing,  etc.  are  conducted  under  SAMARTH-  (Scheme  for  Capacity  Building  in Textile Sector) across the country including Solapur District in Maharashtra.

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