Question : Weavers Service Centre

(a) the total number of Weavers Service Centres under various handloom development schemes in the country during the last three years along with the details of funds sanctioned for and utilized by each of these States particularly by Chhattisgarh;

(b) whether the State of Chhattisgarh has utilized 100 per cent of its sanctioned funds during the last three years;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the States are unable to utilise the sanctioned funds and the said Weavers Service Centres are not working satisfactorily in several States;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure effective functioning of these centres?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (f): 28 Weavers’ Service Centres (WSCs) are functioning across the country. To facilitate and promote the Handloom Sector, the Government of India, Ministry of Textiles is implementing following schemes across the country, including Chattisgarh State:
1. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)
2. Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)
3. Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)
4. Yarn Supply Scheme.

Under the aforesaid schemes, budgetary allocation of funds is not made State-wise. However, the Scheme-wise funds allocated, released/utilized during the last three years, including the State of Chattisgarh is as follows:-
(Rs. in Crore)
S. No. Name of Scheme 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Funds allocated Funds released/ utilized Funds allocated Funds released/ utilized Funds allocated Funds released/ utilized
1. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) 167.53 153.56 140.24 135.05 138.53 118.72
2. Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) 50.00 40.11 32.50 31.82 21.50 16.38
3. Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS) 26.56 26.56 25.00 24.98 10.05 2.06
4. Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS) 261.50 261.35 200.00 199.84 155.41 128.84
Total : 505.59 481.58 397.74 391.69 325.49 264.00

WSCs are inspected by Senior Officers from time to time and Zonal Directors of each Zone monitors the activities of WSCs under their respective Zones. For the effective functioning of these centres, the following additional steps are also taken:-
1. Vacant posts of WSCs are being filled.
2. Infrastructure, including building and machineries are upgraded.
3. Designers are engaged by WSCs for product development and marketing.
4. Design and Resource Centres are being set up in certain WSCs to showcase and share their designs with the Weavers, help develop new designs and serve as a Resource Centre for best designs developed over a period of time.
****