Question : FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SUBSIDY TO WEAVERS

(a) the details of the problems and hardships being faced by the powerloom, weavers and the artisans in the handloom and handicraft sector;

(b) the details of the financial assistance/ subsidy provided to the self-help groups/ Non-Governmental Organisations via any Government schemes, if any, during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the Government is taking any other steps to address this problem and ensure the development of handloom and handicraft sectors in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a): The problems faced by powerloom weavers and the artisans in the handlooms and handicrafts sectors include inadequate pre-weaving facilities, yarn price volatility, poor exposure to new technology, shortage of skilled manpower, absence of market intelligence, low productivity, competition from the organized sector and insufficient credit flow from institutional sources.

(b): The details of financial assistance provided to Non-Governmental Organisations/ self-help groups by the Government State-wise, Year-wise in the handicrafts and handloom sectors during each of the last three years and the current year are enclosed in Annexure I & II. Financial assistance in the powerloom sector for upgradation of powerlooms is provided directly to the weavers and not to NGOs/ self-help groups.

(c) & (d): Various development schemes have been launched by the Government to address the problems faced by weaves/artisans and also to ensure the development of powerloom, handloom and handicraft sectors. These are as under:-

Powerloom Sector:

(i) Group Workshet Scheme (GWS).

(ii) 15% & 30% Margin Money Subsidy Scheme under Technology Upgradation fund Scheme (TUFS).

(iii) Pilot Scheme of In Situ Upgradation of Plain Powerloom in Oct, 2013.

(iv) Integrated Scheme for Powerloom Sector Development (ISPSD),

Handicrafts Sector:

(i) Baba Sahib Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana.

(ii) Design & Technology Upgradation Scheme

(iii) Marketing Support Services Scheme

(iv) Research & Development Scheme

(v) Human Resource Development Scheme

(vi) Handicraft Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme: and

(vii) Infrastructure & Technology Development Scheme.

Handloom Sector:

(i) National Handloom Development Programme:

(a) Comprehensive Handloom Development Scheme;

(i) Integrated handloom Development Scheme.

(ii)Marketing and export Promotion Scheme.

(iii)Diversified Handloom Development Scheme.

(b) Revival, Reforms and Restructuring (RRR) package for handloom sector.

(ii) Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme

(a) Health Insurance Scheme for access to health care facilities.

(b) Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana for life insurance.