(a) whether the Government is aware of hear crisis condition of the Handloom industry in Andhra Pradesh which is currently passing through a critical phase;
(b) if so, whether the Government has prepared any plan to revamp the handloom sector and provide life saving measures to lakhs of handloom weavers both within and outside the comprehensive fold;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF TEXTILES ( SHRI SHANKERSINH VAGHELA )
(a): There is no report from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh about any crisis condition of the handloom industry in Andhra Pradesh. However, there were representations seeking withdrawal of Excise Duty imposed on hank yarn.
(b) to (d): The Hon`ble Finance Minister while presenting the Union Budget for the year 2004-05 on 8th July 2004 has proposed
that there will be no mandatory excise duty on pure cotton, wool and silk, whether it is fibre, yarn, fabrics or garment. Further, Government of India has been implementing a number of schemes for the overall development of the handloom sector and for the welfare of handloom weavers throughout the country including State of Andhra Pradesh, which are as under:
1. Deendayal Hathkargha Prothsahan Yojana
2. Handloom Export Scheme
3. Marketing Promotion Programme
4. Design Development & Training Programme
5. Integrated Handloom Training Project 6. Mill Gate Price Scheme
7 Workshed cum Housing Scheme
8. Weavers Welfare scheme
9. Bunkar Bima Yojna 10. Implementation of Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act 1985 11. Reimbursement of CENVAT on Hank Yarn 12. Special Rebate on Handloom Products