Parliament Question: Current Status of Modernisation of Powerloom Sector

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1439 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2025 CURRENT STATUS OF MODERNISATION OF POWERLOOM SECTOR 1439. DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA: SHRI P C MOHAN: Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state : (a) whether the Government has reviewed the current status of modernization, technology upgradation, and sustainability initiatives in the powerloom sector; (b) the details of the schemes and interventions that have been extended to support powerloom units, including TUFS-related assistance, State-wise including Karnataka; (c) whether any gaps have been identified in credit access, power subsidy, raw material supply, or technological adoption among powerloom MSMEs; (d) if so, the steps being taken to address these gaps and enhance competitiveness, productivity, and employment opportunities in the powerloom sector; and (e) the Powerloom sector modernization, technology upgradation, and sustainability initiatives States- wise including Maharashtra, district-wise especially in Palghar, Thane and Bhiwandi district? उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA) (a) to (e): A number of initiatives have been taken by the Government in order to ensure holistic development of the entire powerloom sector of the country including that of Maharashtra (Palghar, Thane and Bhiwandi) and Karnataka:- (i) Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme(CPCDS): With an aim at holistic improvement of existing (brownfield) powerloom clusters, Government extends financial support of a maximum of Rs. 50 crores for each approved Powerloom Mega Cluster project. The scheme has now been subsumed under Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS) and support is extended for completing ongoing projects for meeting committed liabilities only. In Maharashtra, one project i.e.Ichalkaranji Powerloom Mega Cluster (Maharashtra) was sanctioned in 2012 which is currently at an advanced stage of completion, Rs. 44.85 crore has been released to Ichalkaranji powerloom megacluster as financial support by Government of India. Similarly in Karnataka, Silk Mega Cluster at Mysore (Karnataka) has been approved and Rs. 2.49 crore was released as GoI support to this project. (ii) Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS): Under the scheme, credit linked Capital Investment Subsidy (CIS) is provided to units located across the country for purchase of benchmarked machinery in different segment of Textile Sectors (excluding spinning) across the value chain and across fibers including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small textile manufacturing units. The validity of the scheme was till 31.03.2022. Currently only committed liabilities are provided under this scheme. A financial support of Rs. 222.75 crore to 1180 units has been provided in Maharashtra including Ichalkaranji, Bhiwandi and Malegaon clusters and of Rs. 2.29 crore to 27 units in Karnataka under the scheme.(iii) PowerTex India Scheme: In order to enhance the capacities and competitiveness of decentralized powerloom sector, PowerTex India Scheme was launched on a Pan India basis having, an outlay of Rs. 487 crores for the period 2017-20, which was extended upto 2021. The scheme has now been subsumed under Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS) and support is extended for completing ongoing projects for meeting committed liabilities only. Benefits extended under PowerTex India Scheme in the state of Karnataka and Maharashtra are given below: Karnataka :- Total fund Released No. of No. of Looms Scheme (in Lakh) Beneficiaries upgraded Insitu Upgradation Fund Scheme 863.06 2,405 4,940 Maharashtra :- S. No Scheme Palghar District Thane District Bhiwandi Cluster No of Financial No of Financial Total units Total units/ Assistance units/Projects Assistance in Financial Projects in cr cr Assistance in Cr 1 Insitu - - Upgradation 6,257 56.56 6257 56.56 Fund Scheme 2 Group - - Workshed 2 0.91 2 0.91 Scheme 3 Yarn Banks - - 1 0.50 1 0.50 In addition to above, Grant-in-aid is also provided to powerloom service centres of Textile Research Associations (TRAs) and State Government. There are 7 Powerloom service centres in Maharashtra (two in Bhiwandi cluster and one each in Ichalkaranji, Malegaon, Sangli, Solapur and Nagpur clusters) and 4 Powerloom Service Centres in Karnataka (two in Bangalore and one each in Gadag and Belgavi clusters). These powerloom service centres provide testing, training, technical consultancy and troubleshooting services to the powerloom industry in these clusters. In the last three years training has been provided to 1,054 weavers in these clusters. (iv) Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks: With a view to increasing investments, generating employment opportunities and boosting exports in textile sector, the Ministry is implementing Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) to provide support for setting up textile parks with world-class, state-of-the-art infrastructure in textile hubs across the country. The scheme was in implementation upto 31.03.2021; however, the scheme has now been subsumed under Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS) and support is extended for completing ongoing projects for meeting committed liabilities only. Under this scheme, financial support worth Rs. 202.74 crores has been extended to 6 Textiles parks of Maharashtra and worth Rs. 32.01 crores has been extended to 1 Textile park in Karnataka so far. (v) In addition, the Government of Maharashtra is also implementing the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023-2028 to support various components of the textile value chain in Maharashtra including Powerlooms. The Maharashtra Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (MAHA_TUFS) seeks to facilitate Powerlooms in Maharashtra in augmenting investments, productivity, quality, employment and exports through various incentives to the eligible units for technology upgradation as per specified guidelines. ****