Parliament Question: Employment in Textile and Apparel Sector

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2026 EMPLOYMENT IN TEXTILE AND APPAREL SECTOR *140. DR. INDRA HANG SUBBA: Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state : (a) the details of persons employed in India's textile and apparel sector; (b) the details of persons employed in Northeast Region in textile sector; (c) the details of the percentage of handloom products in textile industry; and (d) the details of the incentives available for handloom workers? उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र मंत्री (श्री गिररराज सिंह) MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH) (a) to (d):- A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA ADMITTED STARRED QUESTION NO. *140 TO BE ANSWERED ON DATED 28.07.2026 ASKED BY DR. INDRA HANG SUBBA REGARDING “EMPLOYMENT IN TEXTILE AND APPAREL SECTOR” (a): The textile industry is one of the largest sources of employment in the country, as derived from Periodic Labour Force Survey, estimated employment engaged in textiles & apparel sector are around 4.91cr. during 2023-24. In order to generate employment opportunities in the textile sector including Northeast Region, Government has implemented various schemes/programmes like SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textiles Sector), National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP), National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)etc. (b): As derived from Periodic Labour Force Survey, estimated employment engaged in textiles & apparel sector in Northeast Region comprising of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura are around 51.4 lakh during 2023-24. (c): The handloom sector is an integral part of India's textile industry and contributes to the country's fabric production through its decentralized and household-based production system. Based on the trend of monthly data submitted by spinning units through the Textile Statistical Return System Portal of the Office of the Textile Commissioner, the handloom sector is estimated to account for about 9.68% of the total fabric production in the country, estimated handloom fabrics Production in the country is given Annexure-I. (d): The Ministry of Textiles is administering following schemes for the development and promotion of handloom sector and welfare of handloom workers across the country : 1. National Handloom Development Programme(NHDP); 2. Raw Material Supply Scheme(RMSS); Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/workers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of work-shed, skilling, product diversification & design innovation, technical and common infrastructure, publicity and brand development through India Handloom Brand (IHB), Handloom Mark (HLM) and GI tag, e-commerce facilities, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme and social security etc. Annexure-I Handloom Fabrics Production (MnSq.Mtrs) Year Cotton Blended 100% Non-Cotton Total 2020-21 7,004 86 710 7,799 2021-22 7,682 94 778 8,554 2022-23 8,426 103 854 9,382 2023-24 9,241 113 936 10,291 Source : Submission of the Monthly Statistical Return of Units Registered Under TSRS (Textile Statistical Return System), O/o Textiles Commissioner ******