Allocation and Subsidy for Handloom Weavers and Artisans Discussed in Rajya Sabha

The Ministry of Textiles is implementing Central Sector Schemes for the development & promotion of Handloom & Handicraft Sectors and welfare of weavers and artisans across the country, under which grants-in-aid is allocated and released to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers & artisans scheme-wise.  Under these schemes, there are components where Ministry of Textiles provides assistance to agencies/weavers & artisans. These include interest subvention on MUDRA loan and Margin Money, 10% price subsidy on yarn under Yarn Supply Scheme and Government of India share for insurance coverage of weavers under components of converged Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY)/Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)/Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). Also 90% amount of procurement of looms and accessories is borne by the Ministry of Textiles under Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata component of National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)& Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS).

The allocation and expenditure of grants-in-aid released to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers & artisans for the entire country is maintained scheme-wise.  The details of allocation made and grants-in-aid released during 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 for the above schemes under which handloom/handicraft agencies/weavers/artisans are assisted by the Ministry of Textiles is as follows:

The schemes are implemented in Handloom and Handicraft sectors through the State Govt. agencies, field functionaries of Ministry of Textiles with already available infrastructure, without creating any new posts. The implementing agencies are selected/recommended by the State Governments concerned. The projects are sanctioned based on the viable proposal received from the State Governments.  As such there is no cost incurred in this regard.                                                                                                       

This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani in Rajya Sabha today.