Lok Sabha Question No. 4968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Protection of Traditional Handloom
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL HANDLOOM

4968. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

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

(a) whether the Government has undertaken initiatives to protect traditional handloom designs such as Sambalpuri, Bomkai and Dhokra art from imitation and mass production;

(b)  the  total  number  of weavers engaged in heritage textile production in Odisha during the last three years;

(c)  the  details  of  financial  incentives  provided  to  artisans  for  reviving  rare  and  traditional  weaving techniques; and

(d)  the  steps  taken  to  provide  Geographical  Indication  (GI)  tag  protection  and  branding  support  for Odisha's traditional textiles?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा )

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

(a) & (d): Ministry  of  Textiles  promotes  the  provision  of  Geographical  Indication  (GI)  of  Goods (Registration & Protection) Act 1999, in respect of handloom products of pan India under the scheme, National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP). Under the above scheme, financial assistance is provided for meeting the expenses in registering the designs/products, imparting training to personnel of implementing agencies and effective enforcement of G.I. registration.

The act provides legal protection to the GI of goods etc. and prevents unauthorized use of these by others. In case of any violation by producing duplicate product similar to GI registered, the authorized users can resort to civil and criminal remedies available under the Act.

So  far,  09  handloom  products  of  Odisha  including  Sambalpuri  Bandha  Saree  &  Fabrics  and Bomkai  Saree  &  Fabrics  have  been  given  GI  Tag,  out  of  total  number  of  104  handloom products registered, under the GI Act, 1999.

(b): As per 4 th India  Handloom Census 2019-20, there are 1,17,836 handloom workers engaged in Heritage Textile Production (Handlooms) in  Odisha.

(c): Ministry  of  Textiles  through  Office  of  Development  Commissioner  (Handlooms)  promotes Handlooms products of the country including Odisha by implementing following schemes:

- (i) National Handloom Development Programme;
- (ii) Raw Material Supply Scheme;

Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for  raw  materials,  procurement  of  upgraded  looms  &  accessories,  solar  lighting  units,  construction  of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic & international markets,  concessional  loans  under weavers'  MUDRA scheme and social security etc.

Need-based skill upgradation programmes for handloom workers in technical areas viz. weaving including  rare  &  traditional  weaving  technique,  dyeing/printing,  designing,  etc.  are  conducted  under SAMARTH- (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector) across the country including Odisha,

During the FY 2021-22 to 2023-24, 748 persons have been provided training under 'Samarth Scheme'. In addition, financial assistance of Rs.200.35 lakh have been provided for implementation of 4 Cluster Development Programme covering 1,400 number of beneficiaries during the FY 2021-22 to 2023-24.

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