Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Textiles is addressing the crisis faced by traditional handloom weavers in Santipur and Phulia, West Bengal, due to competition, lack of marketing support, and declining income. This is done through the implementation of nationwide schemes, including the National Handloom Development Programme and the Raw Material Supply Scheme. The ministry has provided financial assistance, infrastructure upgrades, and skill development programs to West Bengal, including Santipur and Phulia, from 2014-15 to 30.06.2025, based on proposals received from the state government.
Key Points / Main Content:
Schemes Implemented:
* National Handloom Development Programme: Provides financial assistance for upgraded looms, solar lighting, workshed construction, product design, technical infrastructure, marketing support, concessional loans (Weavers MUDRA scheme), and social security.
* Raw Material Supply Scheme: Offers transport subsidy for yarn and a 15% price subsidy on cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, woolen linen yarn, and blended yarn of natural fibers.
Assistance Provided to West Bengal (2014-15 to 30.06.2025):
* Handloom Clusters: Financial assistance of Rs. 39.10 crore for 39 handloom clusters, including 2 in Santipur and 12 in Nadia district, benefitting 30,208 handloom workers. 5,038 weavers received upgraded looms/accessories, and 1,676 workers received skill upgradation training.
* Marketing Events: 29 marketing events were organized to promote handloom product sales.
* Handloom Producer Companies: 12 Handloom Producer companies formed, including 2 in Santipur and 1 in Phulia, to enhance productivity and marketing.
* Weavers MUDRA Scheme: 43,198 beneficiaries received concessional loans.
* Insurance Schemes: 2,11,550 beneficiaries enrolled under Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY) and 45,390 under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana/Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
* Yarn Supply: 101.59 lakh kg of yarn supplied under Transport and Price subsidy, benefitting 54,807 handloom organizations/weavers annually.
Impact Analysis:
Handloom Weavers/Workers:
* Impact: Benefit from financial assistance, upgraded looms, skill development, marketing support, concessional loans, social security, and yarn subsidies.
* Action Required: Avail themselves of the schemes, participate in training programs, and utilize marketing platforms to improve income and productivity.
Handloom Organizations/Agencies:
* Impact: Eligible agencies can receive financial aid for infrastructure development, technology upgrades, and marketing initiatives.
* Action Required: Apply for schemes, implement upgrades, and participate in marketing events.
State Government of West Bengal:
* Impact: Responsible for proposing projects and facilitating the implementation of schemes within the state, including Santipur and Phulia.
* Action Required: Continue to submit proposals for financial assistance, monitor the progress of implemented schemes, and ensure effective coordination between various stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the unstarred question regarding the crisis faced by traditional handloom weavers.
Minister of TEXTILES: The government official responsible for answering questions related to the textiles sector.
SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH: The Minister of Textiles who provided the answer to the LOK SABHA question.
Santipur, West Bengal: A town in West Bengal known for its handloom weaving tradition, facing a crisis according to the question.
Phulia, West Bengal: A town in West Bengal, like Santipur, known for handloom weaving and facing a crisis.
National Handloom Development Programme: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Textiles to support the development, promotion, and revival of the handloom sector.
Raw Material Supply Scheme: A scheme under which the Ministry provides transport subsidy for yarn and price subsidy on various types of yarn to handloom weavers.
Weavers MUDRA Scheme: A scheme providing concessional loans to weavers.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1610
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025
CRISIS FACED BY TRADITIONAL HANDLOOM WEAVERS
1610. SHRI JAGANNATH SARKAR:
Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री
be pleased to state :
(a) whether the Government is aware of the ongoing crisis faced by traditional handloom weavers in
Santipur and Phulia of West Bengal, due to competition from powerlooms, lack of marketing support
and declining income and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is planning any region-specific revival package or export-linked support
scheme for weavers from Santipur and Phulia;
(c) whether any proposals have been received from the West Bengal Government in this regard; and
(d) the details of existing or proposed skill development programmes, infrastructure upgradation and
technology integration schemes aimed at modernizing the handloom sector in this region?
उत्तर
ANSWER
वस्त्र मंत्री (श्री गिररराज स हं )
MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)
(a) & (b): To provide end to end support for development, promotion and revival of handloom
sector and ensure welfare of handloom weavers/workers, Ministry of Textiles is implementing following
schemes across the country including Santipur and Phulia of West Bengal:
1. National Handloom Development Programme
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme
Under t he National Handloom Development Programme, financial assistance is provided to eligible
handloom agencies/weavers for procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units,
construction of workshed, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure,
marketing support for handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under
weavers’ MUDRA scheme and social security etc.
Under the Raw Material supply Scheme, the Ministry provides transport subsidy for transportation of
yarn to the doorstep of the beneficiaries and 15% Price Subsidy on Cotton Hank yarn, Domestic Silk,
Woollen & Linen yarn and blended yarn of natural fibres.
(c) & (d): On receipt of proposals from the State of West Bengal, the following assistance has been
provided to West Bengal including Santipur and Phulia under these schemes during 2014-15 to 2025-26
(as on 30.06.2025):
(i) 39 handloom clusters including 2 in Santipur, 12 in Nadia district and one mega handloom cluster
at Murshidabad have been taken up for financial assistance of Rs.39.10 crore benefitting 30,208
handloom workers including 5,038 weavers provided upgraded looms/accessories under technology
upgardation, 1,676 handloom workers have been imparted Skill up-gradation training.(ii) 29 marketing events have been organized to facilitate and promote sales of Handloom Products.
(iii) 12 Handloom Producer companies including 2 in Santipur & one in Phulia have been formed to
enhance productivity, marketing capabilities and facilitate better incomes.
(iv) 43,198 beneficiaries have been provided loans at concessional rates under Weavers’ MUDRA
Scheme.
(v) 2,11,550 beneficiaries have been enrolled under Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana/converged
MGBBY and 45,390 beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana/Pradhan Mantri
Suraksha Bima Yojana.
(vi) Total 101.59 lakh kg of yarn supplied under Transport subsidy & Price subsidy benefitting 54,807
handloom organisations/weavers every year.
****