This document summarizes the Indian government's response to a parliamentary question regarding the state of silk production in Assam, specifically in Kakaya village, following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister of State for Textiles addresses concerns about a decline in silk production in Kakaya, stating that the Directorate of Sericulture, Government of Assam, has not reported a specific post-COVID decline, though Kakaya is acknowledged as a major silk and cotton weaving village.
Support for silk farmers in Assam is provided through the Silk Samagra-2 scheme. Under this scheme, the government has disbursed ₹78.14 crore to the State Government of Assam, including the Bodoland Territorial Council and Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, benefiting approximately 4,000 individuals, including silk farmers. Additional support is available through the National Handloom Development Programme and the Raw Material Supply Scheme, offering financial assistance for raw materials, infrastructure upgrades, product diversification, marketing, MUDRA loans, and social security to handloom agencies and workers. The Government of Assam also supports 8,268 Muga silk farmers through its Muga Mission.
A nationwide online study, including Assam, was conducted by the Central Silk Board in April-May 2020 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the silk value chain.
To revive traditional silk clusters, ₹102.33 crore has been allocated under the Cluster Development Programme for 88 small and 2 mega handloom clusters in Assam, covering approximately 71,784 handloom weavers. The Silk Samagra-2 scheme is also being implemented in collaboration with the State Government of Assam to further develop the silk sector, including traditional silk clusters.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI GAURAV GOGOI: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the unstarred question regarding decline in silk production.
Kakaya, Assam: A major silk-producing village in Assam.
SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA: The Minister of State for Textiles who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Directorate of Sericulture, Government of Assam: The Assam government agency responsible for sericulture.
Silk Samagra-2 scheme: A government scheme extending support for the development of the sericulture industry in the country, including Assam.
Bodoland Territorial Council: An autonomous council in Assam that received assistance under the Silk Samagra2 scheme.
Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council: An autonomous council in Assam that received assistance under the Silk Samagra2 scheme.
National Handloom Development Programme: A government program providing financial assistance to eligible handloom agencies/workers for raw materials, upgradation of looms etc.
Muga Mission: A scheme by the Government of Assam to support Muga silk farmers.
Central Silk Board: The organization that conducted a nationwide online study to assess the COVID-19 impact across the silk value chain.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3783
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025
DECLINE IN SILK PRODUCTION
3783. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:
Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री
be pleased to state :
(a) whether the Government has noticed that Kakaya, Assam’s second-largest silk-producing village, is
facing a severe decline in silk production post-COVID and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any support has been extended by the Government to affected silk farmers in terms of
financial assistance, raw material procurement, or market linkages;
(c) whether the Government has undertaken any assessment of post-pandemic impact on sericulture
livelihoods in Assam; and
(d) whether the Government has any proposal plans to revive traditional silk clusters through focused
schemes or collaborations with the State Government and if so, the details thereof?
उत्तर
ANSWER
वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा)
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a): As per the Directorate of Sericulture, Government of Assam, Kakaya is a major silk weaving
village engaged primarily in silk and cotton weaving. No specific post-COVID decline has been reported
in the village.
(b): The Government under Silk Samagra-2 scheme extends support for the development of the
sericulture industry in the country, including Assam. Based on the proposals received from State
Government of Assam (including Bodoland Territorial Council and Karbi Anglong Autonomous
Council), an assistance of ₹78.14 crore has been provided which benefitted around 4,000 person
including silk farmers.
In addition, the Government under National Handloom Development Programme and Raw Material
Supply Scheme provides financial assistance to eligible handloom agencies/workers for raw materials,
upgradation of looms and accessories, solar lighting, work-sheds construction, product diversification
and design innovation, technical and common infrastructure, domestic/overseas marketing, MUDRA
loans, and social security for the overall development of the handloom sector and welfare of handloom
workers across the country, including Assam. Also, the Government of Assam, through its Muga
Mission, supports 8,268 Muga silk farmers.
(c): The Government, through Central Silk Board has conducted a nationwide (including Assam)
online study during April–May 2020 to assess COVID-19 impact across the silk value chain.
(d): Under the Cluster Development Programme, ₹102.33 crore has been released for 88 small and 2
mega handloom clusters in Assam, covering around 71,784 handloom weavers. Furthermore, the Silk
Samagra-2 scheme has been implemented in collaboration with State Governments, including Assam, for
the overall development of the Silk sector, which also encompasses traditional silk clusters.
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