MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (e): No such survey regarding engagement of total number of Scheduled Caste (SC) workers in textile sector has been conducted in the recent past. However, as per 3rd Handloom Census (2009-10), there are 27.83 lakh Handloom Workers Households across the country. Of this, 2.73 lakh belongs to SC category. State-wise details are given in Annexure-I. The Government has initiated several measures for the welfare of the weavers / workers and artisans in the textile sector, belonging to the SC category. The following steps have been taken in this regards:-
(i) For the welfare of handloom weavers including SC weavers, several welfare schemes are implemented like RRR package & Concessional credit scheme, Yarn Supply scheme for making available all types of yarn to handloom weavers/agencies at mill gate price by reimbursing transportation charges to the user agencies. Further, to provide price relief to handloom weavers, a component of 10% price subsidy on hank yarn has been included under the yarn supply scheme which is applicable on cotton, domestic silk and woollen yarn with quantity limitations etc. under the National Handloom Development Programme.
(ii) Handicrafts sector is extending the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana for 20,000 and more artisans including SC Artisans in mega cluster and AHVY cluster through Punjab National Bank for implementation of startup and Stand up India Initiative.
(iii) Powerloom Sector is implementing the scheme “In-situ Up-gradation of Plain Powerloom” in 27 powerloom clusters, under which enhanced financial assistance is provided to economically weaker low-end powerloom units, for upgrading existing plain looms to semi-automatic/automatic looms, to improve quality and productivity of the fabric being produced by way of fixing certain additional attachments/kits and enable them to face the competition in domestic and international markets. Government of India provides financial assistance to the extent of 50%, 75% and 90% of the cost of up-gradation to a maximum subsidy of Rs. 40,000/-, 60,000/- and 72,000/- per loom for General, SC and ST category applicants respectively, as shown below:-
Category Percentage of subsidy Maximum subsidy Amount per loom (in Rupees)
Plain powerloom to semiautomatic Semi automatic loom to Shuttless Rapier Plain powerloom to
Shuttless Rapier
General 50 % 15,000 25,000 40,000/-
SC 75 % 22,000 37,000 60,000/-
ST 90 % 27,000 45,000 72,000/-
(iv) In the Sericulture Sector the SC beneficiaries have been assisted towards inputs supply for productivity improvement, up-gradation of commercial seed production units, seed rearing, construction of rearing houses, beneficiary empowerment programme, tasar cluster promotion programme and community based organization. During the year 2015-16, an amount of Rs.700.00 lakhs have been released to 12 States for implementation of Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCSP). 2,144 SC beneficiaries have been covered towards implementation of SCSP during the year 2015-16. State-wise details are given in Annexure-II. To assist 700 SC families, a project viz. “Empowerment of SC families through sericulture under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP)” has been prepared with a central share of Rs.22.74 crores for the year 2016-17.
(v) Training and skill development of SC persons has been initiated by National Jute Manufacturers Corporation (NJMC) in its mills under ISDS. NJMC has now decided to train about 75 % of its total manpower from the SC category.
In addition to above, for the purpose of promotion and development of various segments of the textile sector and for welfare of workers, weavers in this sector, Government is implementing various schemes viz Integrated Scheme for Powerloom Sector Development (ISPSD), Group Workshed Scheme for Powerlooms, Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Sector, Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, etc. These schemes are applicable to all category of textile workers including SC textile workers. The budget for SC weavers, workers and artisans earmarked under the Scheduled Cast Sub Plan for various textile sector schemes for year 2016-17 is Rs. 167.50 crores.
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