Parliament Question: Powerloom Industry in Maharashtra

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5110 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2026 POWERLOOM INDUSTRY IN MAHARASHTRA 5110. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE: Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state : (a) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that after the COVID-19 pandemic the powerloom industry in Bhiwandi region of Maharashtra is facing serious difficulties in recovering economically and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether many powerloom units in Bhiwandi have not yet fully resumed operations and workers have not been able to secure stable employment and if so, the details thereof; (c) the special assistance or relief package provided by the Central Government under the Ministry of Textiles for traditional clusters such as Bhiwandi for post-COVID recovery; (d) whether the Government is considering introducing any new scheme for refinancing, working capital support, and workers' welfare for this industry and if so, the details thereof; (e) whether Bhiwandi's powerloom industry has to pay higher electricity charges than neighboring States, whether the Central Government is coordinating with the State Governments to address the said issue; (f) the total number of workers engaged in the textile industry in Bhiwandi who have become unemployed or have migrated to other States during the last five years; and (g) the details and extent to which export of textile products from Bhiwandi has declined and the steps being taken to reconnect the said products with the global market and if not, the reasons therefor? उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र मत्रं ी (श्री गिरििाज स हं ) MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH) (a) to (g): The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles has been providing financial assistance and institutional support to the powerloom sector throughout the Country including Bhiwandi cluster in Maharashtra in order to support the growth, revival, modernization and sustainability of powerloom units. The major interventions include; (a) Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS). (b) PowerTex India Scheme. (c) Comprehensive Powerloom Cluster Development Scheme (CPCDS). (d) Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) The Ministry has also revamped the erstwhile Powerloom Service Centres (PSC), including 6 PSCs in Maharashtra (including one in Bhiwandi), into Institutes of Textile Design and Apparel Development Centres (ITADCs) with revised charter of duties and planned upgradation of facilities and manpower. These include cluster-specific facilities, including strengthening of testing infrastructure, installation of modern looms and preparatory machines, testing instruments, sewing and embroidery machines for garment and apparel development, and design development facilities. The details of funds released in Bhiwandi Cluster (Maharashtra) under various schemes are enclosed at Annexure-A.In the Union Budget 2026, Government has also announced an Integrated Textiles Programme which includes the Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme (TEEM) to modernize traditional clusters with capital support for machinery, technology upgradation and common testing and certification centres. Under the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023-28, Maharashtra is providing electricity tariff subsidy up to Rs. 3 per unit for cooperative spinning and Rs. 2 per unit for other textile units. The State of Maharashtra has developed an integrated e-Textile portal as a digital platform for registration, monitoring and delivery of policy incentives. Over 1500 textile industries have registered on the portal, with more than 400 units obtaining Maharashtra Textile Registration Numbers (MTRN). Exports of Textile & Apparel from Thane district including Bhiwandi increased from USD 549.3 million during FY 2024-25 (Apr-Jan) to USD 600.3 million in FY 2025-26 (Apr-Jan). Information regarding labour migration to other states or re-operationalized units is not maintained by the Ministry. Annexure-A Government support extended under various Central Government schemes: S. Schemes Bhiwandi No No of units/ Financial Projects Assistance in Cr 1 Amended Technology Upgradation 297 69.9 Fund Scheme (ATUFS) 2 In-situ Upgradation Fund Scheme 6,257 56.56 3 Group Workshed Scheme 2 0.91 4 Yarn Banks 1 0.50 5 Scheme for Integrated Textile Park 1 40 ( SITP) Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom Workers in Maharashtra:- S. Enrolment Death Claims Shiksha Sahayog Yojana (SSY) No Nos Nos Financial Nos Financial Assistance Assistance 1 328705 3,148 15.69 Cr 5,539 48.65 Lakhs Powerloom Service Centres S.No. Name of Powerloom Service District TXC/ Non-TxC(TRA) Centre 1 Nagpur Nagpur TxC 2 Malegaon Nashik TxC 3 Madhavnagar Sangli BTRA 4 Solapur Solapur BTRA 5 Ichalkaranji Kolhapur BTRA 6 Bhiwandi I Thane SASMIRA ****