Question : Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayta Yojana

(a) the present status of implementation and achievements of Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata (HSS) Yojana for handloom weavers;

(b) the total financial assistance provided by the Government under the HSS Yojana till date in the State of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu;

(c) whether the Government has launched awareness programme among handloom weavers about the Yojana and if so, the details and the outcome thereof;

(d) the number of SC/ST/OBC and women beneficiaries of the HSS Yojana till date in the said States; and

(e) whether the Government has assessed the performance of HSS Yojana, if so, the details and outcome of the assessment?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

(a) to (e): Under Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata (HSS), sub-component of National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme(CHCDS), upgraded looms/accessories are provided to handloom weavers to improve quality of fabric and enhance productivity. The Government of India bears 90% of the cost of looms/accessories. The scheme is designed for all the weavers, including SC/ST/OBC and women. From FY 2015-16 to 2020-21, 56553 HSS items have been distributed to 55146 handlooms workers belonging to various social categories across the country. The proposals are recommended by the State Government.
Total financial assistance provided for HSS by Government of India in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu is as follows:
S. No. State Funds released
(From FY 2015-16 to 2020-21)
(Rs. in lakh)
1 Maharashtra 63.38
2 Tamil Nadu 1042.82

In order to generate awareness about various schematic interventions for handloom weavers, awareness programmes including e-chaupals are carried out from time to time.

The performance of schematic interventions including HSS has been evaluated by independent third-party agencies and the studies show that these interventions have led to an increase in earnings and the number of working days in a year for weavers.

***