Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1758, to be answered on 10.02.2026, addresses the handloom industry. The question was raised by Shri Dharmendra Yadav and Shri Anand Bhadauria to the Minister of Textiles. The questions inquire about the government's awareness of the handloom industry's challenges due to cheap imports, specifically in Uttar Pradesh, the enforcement of the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, and details regarding these matters.
The Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, responded that the Government is implementing schemes and measures to support handloom weavers, promote domestic production, and strengthen the sector. Handloom exports from Uttar Pradesh reached ₹281.5 crore in 2024-25, with a growth of about 2% (CAGR) from ₹270.4 crore in 2022-23. India's handloom product imports have remained nominal, averaging ₹14.1 crore over the last three years. The Ministry of Textiles is enforcing the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985 through powerloom inspections. The following table shows the number of powerlooms inspected and cases filed in the last 3 years:
| S. No. | Years | Total No. of Powerloom Inspected | No. of case Filed |
| ------- | -------- | --------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| 1. | 2025-26 | 2,05,282 | 34 |
| 2. | 2024-25 | 3,97,777 | 57 |
| 3. | 2023-24 | 3,84,860 | 98 |
| 4. | 2022-23 | 1,88,642 | 53 |
Key Entities Referenced
Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985: Legislation aimed at protecting handloom weavers by reserving certain articles for production, crucial for understanding the legal framework concerning the handloom industry.
Ministry of Textiles: The central ministry responsible for implementing policies and schemes related to the handloom industry.
Uttar Pradesh: Specifically mentioned as a region where the handloom industry is facing challenges, making it central to the scope of the policy.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1758
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2026
HANDLOOM INDUSTRY
1758. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:
SHRI ANAND BHADAURIA:
Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री
be pleased to state :
(a) whether the Government is aware that the handloom industry in the country, especially in Uttar
Pradesh, is on the verge of collapse due to cheap imports of goods produced by handloom industries
from countries like China, Bangladesh and Vietnam and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government strictly enforce the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act,
1985 to save the handloom industry and handloom weavers in the country; and
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
उत्तर
ANSWER
वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा)
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a): The Government is implementing various schemes and taking supporting measures to support
handloom weavers, promote domestic production and strengthen the sector. In this context, handloom
exports from Uttar Pradesh stood at ₹281.5 crore in 2024-25, registering a growth of about 2% (CAGR)
from ₹270.4 crore in 2022-23, while, India’s imports of handloom products have remained nominal, with
an average of about ₹14.1 crore over the last three years, indicating limited impact of imports on the
domestic handloom industry.
(b) & (c): The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles is implementing the Handlooms
(Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985 for protection of handloom weavers from production
of reserved articles under the ibid Act on power looms through various measures including powerloom
inspections. The details of enforcement action taken in last 03 years and current financial year are as
under:
S. No. years Total No. of Powerloom Inspected No. of case Filed
01. 2025-26 2,05,282 34
02. 2024-25 3,97,777 57
03. 2023-24 3,84,860 98
04. 2022-23 1,88,642 53
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