Lok Sabha Question No. 305 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-04
Subject: Technological Reforms in Textile Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Bidyut Baran Mahato, Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

## TECHNOLOGICAL REFORMS IN TEXTILE SECTOR

## 305. SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: SHRI LUMBA RAM:

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

(a) whether the Government is taking any specific efforts to make Indian textile industry competitive at global stage;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  plan  to  encourage  innovations  and  technological reforms in this field; and

(c) whether the Government has contemplated to take concrete steps to improve the working conditions of the labourers working in the textile sector and to enhance their social security benefits so as to provide safe and better job opportunities in this sector?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) & (b): In  order  to  make  the  Indian  textile  industry  competitive  at  global  level  and  to  encourage innovation and technological reforms in the textile sector, Government is implementing various schemes/programmes that include:

PM MITRA Parks Scheme: Under the scheme, 7 Mega Textile Parks with modern, integrated, large-scale, world-class infrastructure, and plug and play facility are being set up to attract investments in the textile sector and boost employment.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles : The scheme focuses on sunrise sectors including manmade fibre (MMF) fabric, MMF apparel, and technical textiles to promote large-scale manufacturing and enhance competitiveness in these textile segments.

National Technical Textiles Mission :  The Mission focuses on (i) research, innovation and development, (ii) promotion and market development (iii) education and skilling and (iv) export promotion in technical textiles to position country as global leader in Technical Textiles.

In  addition,  SAMARTH-Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector, and sectoral programmes like National Handloom Development Programme, National Handicraft Development Programme, National Jute Development Programme, Integrated Wool Development Programme, Silk Samagra-2, etc. are also being implemented.

(c): Ministry of Textiles, Government of India is implementing a number of schemes for welfare of textile workers across the country to improve the working conditions of the labourers and enhance their social security benefits. Some of the interventions for welfare of textile workers include:

Interventions for Handloom Workers: The Handloom Weavers' Welfare component under the National Handloom Development Programme provides social security to the handloom weavers/workers. Some of these measures include (i) Financial support through concessional loans, margin money assistance, credit guarantee fee support etc. (ii) Insurance cover to handloom workers and (iii) Financial Support in indigent circumstances to Awardee Weavers/ Workers above 60 years of age having annual income below Rs.1.00 lakh.

Interventions for Handicraft Workers: Under the Direct Benefit to Artisans (Welfare) component of National  Handicraft  Development  Programme  [NHDP],  some  of  the  welfare  measures  for  handicraft workers include (i) Support to artisans in indigent circumstances (ii) Interest Subvention & Margin Money for credit facility (iii) Adhaar based photo identity cards to handicrafts artisans to avail the benefits of the schemes of Central /State Governments (iv) Insurance cover to Handicrafts Artisans and (v) Awareness Camp/ Chaupal/ Shivirs for benefit of handicraft workers.

Interventions  for  Jute  Workers: National  Jute  Board  provides  assistance  to  the  Jute  Mills  for improvement of working conditions of Jute Mill workers. Educational Support/Scholarship is also being provided to girl children of the workers of Jute Mills and Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Jute Diversified Product units on passing out Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations.

Further,  for  the  formal  sector,  the  Employees  State  Insurance  Corporation  (ESIC),  a  statutory  body established by the Government of India under the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 provides social security  to  the  textile  workers  working  in  factories  /  establishments  with  10  or  more  employees  in  the implemented districts notified by the Central Government, and drawing wages up to ₹21,000/- per month (₹ 25,000/- for persons with disability). Section 46 of the ESI Act, 1948 envisages social security benefits for  the  workers  and  their  families  covering  benefits  like  (i)  Medical  Benefit  (ii)  Sickness  Benefit  (iii) Maternity Benefit (iv) Disablement Benefit (v) Dependants Benefit and others.

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