Soon package for handloom sector

In a bid to incentivise India’s beleaguered handloom sector, the government has taken up various policy initiatives such as cluster approach, technological upgradation, marketing assistance, revival of viable and potentially viable societies, availability of subsidised yarn and credit, besides providing health and life insurance cover to the handloom weavers.

“During 2011-12, a new scheme Integrated Skill Development Scheme was introduced to upgrade the skills and employability of the handloom weavers,” Minister of State Textiles, Panabaaka Lakshmi said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Monday.

As per all India handloom census 2009-10, there are 43.31 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers in the handloom sector. “For the overall development of handloom sector including employment generation, the government is aware of various constraints and problems that weavers are facing across the country including cases of their miserable conditions and disparity in the prices of yarn,” the minister added. 

It is taking steps to give a boost to textiles and clothing products exports. In April 2012 to January 2013, textile exports witnessed a fall of 7.55% in dollar terms in the wake of slowdown in traditional markets of USA and EU.  It is also implementing Revival, Reform and Restructuring package for handloom sector for loan waiver.

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