Lok Sabha Question No. 2370 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Improving  Access to Raw Materials
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## IMPROVING ACCESS TO RAW MATERIALS

## 2370. SHRI NAVASKANI K: SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

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

(a) whether the Government has implemented measures to improve access to raw materials, credit, and markets for handloom weavers and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the steps taken to promote traditional handloom products and provide Geographical Indication (GI) tags to unique handloom items;

(c) the impact of these measures on the income levels and living standards of handloom weavers;

(d)  the  efforts  are  being  made  to  encourage  younger  generations  to  join  the  handloom  industry  and sustain traditional skills;

(e)  whether  there  are  any  partnerships  with  private  players  or  e-commerce  platforms  to  enhance  the marketing of handloom products; and

(f) whether the Government addressing challenges such as competition from machine-made textiles and declining demand for handloom products 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) & (f): Ministry  of  Textiles  is  implementing  central  sector  schemes  such  as  (i)  National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and (ii) Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) to promote handlooms  and  for  welfare  of  handloom  weavers  across  the  country.  Under  these  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,  concessional  loans  under  weavers' MUDRA scheme, social security, payment to awardee weavers in indigent circumstances etc. Moreover, the Ministry 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.

(b): Ministry  of  Textiles  is  promoting  Geographical  Indication  (GI)  of  Goods  (Registration  & Protection)  Act  1999,  in  respect  of  Handloom  products  of  pan  India  under  Handloom  Marketing Assistance  (HMA),  National  Handloom  Development  Programme  (NHDP).  So  far,  a  total  no.  of 103 handloom products & 6 products logos have been registered under the GI Act, 1999.

(c): The  performance  of  schematic  interventions  has  been  evaluated  by  independent  third-party agencies  and the study shows that these interventions have led to an increase in the earnings and the number of working days of the weavers.

(d): Indian  Institute  of  Handloom  Technology  (IIHT)  under  Ministry  of  Textiles  are  conducting Diploma  /  Degree  courses  in  Handloom  &  Textile  Technologies  to  attract  students  to  Handloom  & Textile Industry. Moreover, need-based skill upgradation programmes for handloom workers in technical areas  viz.  weaving,  dyeing,  designing  etc.  are  conducted  under  NHDP  under  SAMARTH-Capacity Building  in  Textile  Sector.  Training  programmes  for  handloom  workers  are  also  conducted  through 29 Weavers' Service Centres (WSCs) functioning in the country under administrative control of Ministry of Textiles.

Ministry of Textiles is also providing financial support as scholarship maximum  upto Rs. 2.00 lakh per annum per child (upto 2 children's) to handloom weavers/ workers' children for study in  diploma /  under  graduate  /  post  graduate  courses  of  recognized  textile  institutions  under  handloom weavers welfare, a component of NHDP to encourage younger generation to join handloom industry and sustain traditional skills.

(e): An e-commerce portal (indiahandmade.com) has been developed facilitating weavers & artisans for  online  marketing  of  handloom  &  handicrafts  products  directly  to  the  buyers/consumers  without involvement of any intermediaries. In addition, 23 e-commerce agencies have been associated for on-line marketing of handloom products.

****