Question : HANDLOOM SECTOR

(a) the type of cloth manufactured by handloom sector to meet the demand of the consumers;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to increase the use of technology in handloom sector and to increase the production/exports of handloom products;

(c) the details of incidents of the suicide by weavers in the country, State-wise and steps taken by the Government to address the issue;

(d) the efforts being made by the Government to help the handloom sector who are facing stiff competitions from international markets/powerloom and mill sector;

(e) whether the Government proposes to set up Indian Institute of Handlooms and Textiles

(f) if so, the details thereof including the criteria and the places where these institutions to be set up; and

(g) the steps taken by the Government to make success of each of the schemes implemented for the welfare of handloom weavers in the country including Maharashtra and to create more jobs for the handloom sector?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)

(a): All types of clothes viz. sarees, dress materials, home furnishings, dhotis, lungis, towels etc. are mostly using natural fibers.

(b): Government of India is implementing Diversified Handloom Development Scheme to provide assistance for technological and skill-up gradation of weavers for design and product development through 25 Weavers’ Service Centres and 05 Indian Institutes of handloom Technology all over the country to improve the productivity and earning of the handloom weavers. Under Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme, financial assistance is provided for new looms, dobby, Jacquard, accessories, skill-upgradation, design development, setting up of Common Facility Centre/Dye House and for construction workshed etc. In order to boost the exports of handloom products from the country, the Government of India has been implementing Marketing & Export Promotion Scheme, Duty Drawback Scheme, Focus Product Scheme, Focus Market Scheme, Marketing Development Assistance Scheme, and Market Initiative Scheme.

(c): No State Government has reported the suicide of persons belonging to weaver’s community except Andhra Pradesh during recent months. 33 cases of Suicides death in Andhra Pradesh have been reported due to indebtness and poverty. State Government has taken steps by conducting diagnostic studies and have established help line at every collectorate. Assistant Directors of district head quarter and his machinery gets in touch with the family and organizes appropriate counseling and work out a package to insulate them from the pressures of money lenders. Such cases are also given preference in extending benefit of the ongoing Government schemes

(d): In order to face the competition from the powerloom and mill sectors due to inherent disadvantage of low productivity and high labour component of handloom sector, the Government of India is implementing the five Plan Schemes viz–(i) Integrated Handloom Development Scheme,(ii) Marketing and Export Promotion Scheme,(iii) Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, (iv) Mill Gate Price Scheme and (v) Diversified Handloom Development Scheme foroverall development of handloom sector. In addition to the above Government of India has announced in December 2011. The schemes for Revival, Reforms & Restructuring Package for Handloom Weavers for loan waiver of Handloom Apex & Cooperative Societies in which overdue loan as on 31.03.2010 (entire principal amount and 25% of interest); Comprehensive Package to provide fresh loan upto Rs.2.00 lac per beneficiary, credit guarantee cover and margin money of Rs.4200, 10% price subsidy on hank yarn on cotton and silk.

(e) & (f): Five Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) are functioning across the country. In addition approval for setting up an Indian Institute of Handloom Technology at Kannur (Kerala) in State Sector has been accorded and the decision to open one IIHT at Shantipur in West Bengal has been taken by the Ministry.

(g): The Government of India has been giving vide publicity through advertisement, conducting exhibitions, organizing workshops and awareness camps in weaver clusters all over the country including Maharashtra State. Further, progress of implementation of the scheme is reviewed from time to time at different level.