Question : Handloom Knitwear Industries

(a) whether Government has taken initiatives under special package to support the village based handloom knitwear industries and if so, the details thereof;


(b) whether the demonetisation and rupee appreciation has badly affected this employment intensive and export oriented industry;


(c) if so, the detail thereof and the steps taken by the Government for employment generation investment activity and encouragement to entrepreneurships therein; and


(d) the action plan of the Government to maintain a database and statistical details and to monitor the functioning thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a): The Government of India through the Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms is already supporting the village based handloom sector through the following programmes/schemes:-

1. National Handloom Development Programme (with following components)
(i) Block Level Cluster
(ii) Handloom Marketing Assistance
(iii) Concessional credit/weavers Mudra Scheme
(iv) Handloom Census
2. Yarn Supply Scheme
3. Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme
4. Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme

The Ministry of Textiles is also implementing Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUF) and giving financial assistance to textile sector, including Knitting/Knitwear Sector for modernization. Under the Scheme, subsidy is provided for upgradation of knitting and knitwear technology.

(b): No such report has been received in the recent past that demonetization and rupee appreciation have badly affected this employment intensive and export-oriented industry.

(c): Does not arise.

(d): The Government is already monitoring the schemes and programmes through State Directorates of Handlooms & Textiles and the Weavers’ Service Centres located in various States. The officials of Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms also monitor progress of projects through field visits from time to time. Management Information System (MIS) database has been developed for submitting physical and financial report by the field functionaries in respect of Block Level clusters.

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