Question : Challenges Faced by Textile Industry

(a) whether the Government has taken note of the loss in livelihood of handloom and powerloom workers along with the reduction in productivity during the pandemic, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware that weavers want to sell their textile goods to the Government institution and also desire some subsidy for procurement of raw material, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the growth in textile industry has declined due to the failure of cooperative societies which has affected the GST collection of the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof during the last five years till date; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (e): The Government has taken proactive steps to address the issues arising out of pandemic as follows:

i. Textiles Minister, Government of India has requested the Chief Ministers of all States and UTs to instruct their State Handloom Corporations/Co-operatives/Agencies to make purchases of the finished inventory available with the handloom weavers/artisans so as to put some ready cash in the hands of the weavers and enable them meet their household needs.
ii. To support the handloom sector and to enable wider market for handloom weavers/producers, about 1.5 lakh handloom weavers/entities have been on-boarded on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for supply of their products to Government Departments.
iii. The handloom weavers, and exporters from different corners of the country were connected virtually with international market. In the Fy 2020-21. 8 events have been organised by Handloom Exports Promotion Council (HEPC) in the virtual mode.
iv. Yarn Supply Scheme is implemented throughout the country to make available all types of yarn. Under the Scheme freight is reimbursed, and 10% price subsidy is provided on hank yarn, which is applicable on cotton, domestic silk, wool and linen yarn with quantity caps.
v. 534 Chaupals were organized in various States to educate the weavers to avail benefits of various handloom schemes for their welfare and socio-economic development.
vi. To promote e-marketing of handloom products, 23 e-commerce entities have been engaged for online marketing of handloom products.
vii. To support the handloom sector and to enable wider market for handloom weavers/producers, about 1.5 lakh handloom weavers/entities have been on-boarded on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for supply of their products to Government Departments.
viii. To enhance productivity and marketing capabilities and ensure higher returns for handloom workers through collective efforts and pooling of resources, 117 handloom producer companies have been formed in different States, wherein younger population of handloom weavers and workers is engaged in managing different functions of producer companies.

Growth of the textile Industry depends on many factors, besides functioning of the co-operative societies.

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