Question : Employment in Powerloom Industry

(a) the number of persons employed in the powerloom sector in the country;

(b) whether the powerloom industry generates ample employment opportunities in the textile sector and if so, the details thereof and the assessment made thereon;

(c) whether the potential for creating opportunities for additional employment in the powerloom sector has been assessed and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Union Government proposes to grant subsidy for technological upgradation of powerlooms in the country and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(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. *339 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 08.12.2016

(a): The decentralised Powerloom sector provides employment to 64.37 lakh Persons.

(b) & (c): Yes, Madam. It is estimated that 2.5 persons are employed directly & indirectly per powerloom in this sector. In terms of this estimate, the number of persons employed in power loom sector in the country during the last three years & in the current year is as follows:-

Financial Year No. of Powerlooms (in lakh) Estimated employment (in lakh) Growth %

A B C
(B X 2.5) D
2013-14 23.67 59.18 0.85%
2014-15 24.48 61.20 3.42%
2015-16 25.23 63.08 3.07%
2016-17
(up to Oct. 2016) 25.75 64.37 1.99%

(d): Goverment of India provides financial assistance under In-situ Upgradation of Plain Powerloom for SSI Powerloom Sector for upgrading existing plain looms to semi-automatic / looms by way of fixing certain additional attachments/kits. Financial assistance is provided to the extent of 50%, 75% and 90% of the cost of upgradation subject 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:-


Maximum subsidy Amount per loom (in Rupees)

Category Percentage of subsidy Plain powerloom to semiautomatic shuttle loom (upgradation without Rapier Kit)


Semi automatic loom to Shuttleless Rapier loom (Attachment of only Rapier kit)

Plain powerloom to Shuttleless Rapier Loom (Upgradation with Rapier kit)

General 50 % 15,000 25,000 40,000/-
SC 75 % 22,500 37,500 60,000/-
ST 90 % 27,000 45,000 72,000/-

In addition, under the Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS), Capital Investment Subsidy (CIS) is provided @10% on eligible brand new shuttleless powerlooms to support the weaving sector.

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