(a) whether the Government has identified the various hardships faced by the weavers in powerloom and handloom sectors, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the basic modern facilities are provided to handloom and powerloom weavers for the development of handloom and powerloom sectors in the country;
(c) if so, the details of the such facilities provided to them during 2014 and 2015; and
(d) whether any relief was also provided to them during the above period and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*161 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 05.05.2016
(a): Yes, Madam. There are approximately 63 lakh weavers / workers who are in the unorganized powerloom sector. The problems faced by the weavers / workers in the powerloom sector include:-
(i) Lack of modernisation - vast majority of the looms are plain shuttle looms with obsolete technology;
(ii) Lack of adequate production infrastructure like worksheds, etc.;
(iii) Weak financial strength of the units with majority having less than 4 looms and thus low credit worthiness;
(iv) Dependence on middle-men for orders since majority of the units work on job-work basis; and
(v) Fluctuating input costs like yarn, etc.
Handloom weavers face hardship mainly due to dilution of quality standards such as colour fastness, inability to upgrade products to meet changing consumer preferences, poor access to credit for working capital, weak marketing linkages and low coverage of social security.
(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. In order to overcome the problems faced by powerloom units, Government has launched various schemes for supporting the powerloom sector:- i) Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme for upgradation of technology; ii) In-situ Upgradation Scheme for plain powerlooms; iii) Group Worksheds Scheme for giving assistance for constructing workshed for powerloom sector; and iv) Integrated Scheme for Powerloom Sector Development (ISPSD) extending assistance for marketing support in the form of Buyer Seller Meet, Yarn Bank, setting up of facility for Common Facility Centre organising Seminar/ Workshop, etc. In addition, social security is also provided to powerloom weavers and workers under the Group Insurance Scheme.
Handloom, being a State subject, its development is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. However, the Government of India has been supplementing the efforts of the States with its policy of promoting and encouraging handloom sector through suitable interventions. Handloom clusters are being supported for comprehensive development through loom upgradation, skill upgradation, supply of good quality raw material, provision of services of professional designers, marketing assistance etc. India Handloom Brand has been launched to assure consumers about quality of handloom products. Credit is being provided on concessional terms. Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Scheme has also been adopted for enhanced credit. Marketing is being promoted through e-commerce. Social security schemes have been streamlined.
Details of handloom clusters taken up, raw material supply by National Handloom Development Corporation, e-commerce platforms engaged in year 2014-15 and 2015-16 at Annexure-I.
(d): The details of financial assistance provided by the Government under the powerloom sector schemes during 2014-15 and 2015-16 are given in Annexure-II.
The Government is providing relief to handloom weavers through marketing incentive, freight reimbursement and subsidy on supply of yarns, and interest subvention along with margin money & credit guarantee on credit through Weavers’ Credit Card. Details of marketing incentive provided, yarn subsidy and freight reimbursement and loan sanctioned through Weavers’ Credit Cards during 2014-15 and 2015-16 at Annexure-III.