Question : Handloom Clusters

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up handloom clusters to benefit the weavers in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the progress made so far in this regard;

(c) the State/UT-wise details of the funds sanctioned during each of the last three years and the current year;

(d) the details of the criteria under which the proposals in this regard had been approved/rejected;

(e) the efforts being made to encourage handloom workers and create awareness among them; and

(f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote the textiles export?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (f):- A statement is laid on the Table of the House.




Statement referred to in reply to part (a) to (f) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *283 for answer on 23.03.2022

(a) to (d): Ministry of Textiles is implementing Cluster Development Programme (CDP), a component of National Handloom Development Programme for integrated development of handloom sector. Need based financial assistance upto Rs. 2 crore per cluster is provided based on the proposals received for assistance from State/UTs Governments. Under the scheme, various interventions are implemented like product development/diversification, provision for upgraded looms/accessories, lighting units, construction of worksheds, design development, marketing of handloom production etc. Since 2015-16, financial assistance has been sanctioned to support 508 handloom clusters across the country. Further, assistance to 56,192 weavers for upgraded looms/accessories, assistance to 5,309 weavers for lighting units, assistance to 3,478 weavers for individual worksheds and skill upgradation training to 65,978 handloom workers in technical areas has been extended. Under the CDP, first instalment is released as advance. Release of second/final instalment depends on utilization of the first instalment and submission of utilization certificate therefore, along with other necessary documents. Accordingly, funds under CDP are not released year-wise. A statement showing State/UT-wise & year-wise funds sanctioned during last three years and current year is annexed.

(e): Ministry of Textiles is implementing following schemes for development of handlooms and welfare of weavers across the country:

1. National Handloom Development Programme;
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme;

Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, common infrastructure development, marketing of handloom products, purchase of looms/accessories, lighting units, design development, Mudra loans etc.

In order to create awareness about Handloom Schemes, chaupals, awareness programmes and seminars etc. are organised from time to time. Besides, awareness is also created about the handloom schemes during the SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector) training, camps for MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) loan and through communications to the stakeholders i.e. State governments, field offices, banks etc.

(f): In order to make textile products cost competitive and adopting the principle of zero rated export, the Government has given its approval for continuation of Rebate of state and Central Taxes and Levis (RoSCTL) on exports of Apparel/Garments and Made-ups till 31st March, 2024. The other textiles products which are not covered under the RoSCTL are eligible to avail the benefits, if any, under Remission of Duties and Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) along with other products.

Exports of Textile products is also promoted by participation in international fairs through Textile related Export Promotion Councils and by organizing Reverse Buyers-Sellers Meet, Buyers-Sellers Meet etc.