MINISTER OF TEXTILES ( SHRI SHANKERSINH VAGHELA )
(a) As per Joint Census of Handlooms and Powerlooms 1995-96 conducted by National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), there were 65.51 lakh persons engaged in weaving and associated activities in handloom sector in various States of the country.
(b) The Government of India has been implementing following schemes for the development and welfare of handloom weavers in the country: -
1. Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana.
2. Marketing Promotion Programme.
3. Mill Gate Price Scheme.
4. Workshed-cum-Housing Scheme.
5. Weavers Welfare Scheme.
6. Handloom Export Scheme
7 Integrated Handloom Training Project
8 Bunker Bima Yojana
9. Scheme for reimbursement of one time rebate @ 10% given by the handloom agencies on the sale of handloom cloth.
10. Implementation of Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act 1985.
The funds released during the last three years are as under: -
Year (Rs. in crore)
2001-02 112.37 2002-03 150.38 2003-04 184.65
(c) The Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms is not implementing any scheme to provide subsidy to handloom weavers in order to assist them to shift to the powerloom.
(d)&(e) Yes Sir. An Integrated Handloom Training Project has been introduced in December 2003 in the handloom sector for skill up-gradation of handloom weavers and workers. This project envisages comprehensive training and upgrading of technical & managerial skills of handloom weavers and workers providing them with superior equipment to enable them to produce and market a diversified range of quality products in keeping with current trends in the domestic and international markets.
To upgrade the skill of artisans with a view to enlarge production base and generate employment in the handicrafts sector, training is imparted as one of the components of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) for integrated development of Craft Cluster in the country and Special Handicrafts Training Project. In addition, under the scheme of Training of Extension, training is imparted in carpet weaving and cane & bamboo craft through the departmental training centers.
(f) No, Sir.
(g) Does not arise.
(h) & (i) Yes Sir, the Government proposes a new scheme for Integrated Cluster Development.
