- According to 4th All India Handloom Census 2019-2020, total number of handloom worker households is 31,44,839.
- However number of handloom worker households as per 3rd Handloom Census of India 2009-2010 was 27,83,271.
As per 3rd handloom census:
- Average earning of Handloom Households (Rs/Annum, 2009-10): Rs. 36498 (i.e. Rs. 3042 per Month).
- According to the 3rd Handloom Census it was estimated that 99% of all weaver households earned less then Rs 5000 per month.
Further, to promote handloom sector, the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, is implementing the following schemes across the country:-
- National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
- Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)
- Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)
- Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS)
Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided for raw materials, purchase of looms and accessories, design innovation, product diversification, infrastructure development, skill upgradation, lighting units, marketing of handloom products and loan at concessional rates.
Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme:
- It is targeted at development of Mega Handloom Clusters in clearly identifiable geographical locations covering atleast 15000 handlooms with the Government of India (GoI) contribution upto Rs.40 crore per cluster over a period of 5 years.
- Components such as conducting diagnostic study, corpus for raw material, etc., are fully funded by the Government of India (GoI) whereas components like lighting units, technological up-gradation of looms and accessories are 90% funded by the GoI.
- Other components such as creation of infrastructure for design studio/ marketing complex/garmenting unit, marketing development, assistance for exports and publicity are 80% funded by the GoI.
- 08 Mega Handloom Clusters viz. Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Sivasagar (Assam), Virudhunagar(Tamil Nadu), Murshidabad (West Bengal), Prakasam & Guntur districts (Andhra Pradesh), Godda & neighbouring districts (Jharkhand), Bhagalpur (Bihar) and Trichy (Tamil Nadu) have been taken up for development.
Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme
- It is providing life, accidental and disability insurance coverage under the components Pradhan Mantri Jivan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) and Converged Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY).
Yarn Supply Scheme:
- Yarn Supply Scheme is being implemented throughout the country to make available all types of yarn at Mill Gate Price.
- The scheme is being implemented through National Handloom Development Corporation.
- Under the Scheme freight is reimbursed and depot operating charges @2% is given to depot operating agencies.
- A component of 10% price subsidy also exists on hank yarn, which is applicable on cotton, domestic silk, wool and linen yarn with quantity caps.
