Parliament Question: Preservation of Chhattisgarh's Traditional Kosa Silk Weaving

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2717 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2026 PRESERVATION OF CHHATTISGARH'S TRADITIONAL KOSA SILK WEAVING 2717. SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY: Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state : (a) whether the Government has undertaken any programme for the preservation, promotion and transmission of the traditional Kosa silk weaving heritage of Chhattisgarh to the younger generation; (b) if so, the details thereof, including the number of artisans, weavers, trainees and Self-Help Groups covered, along with the financial assistance provided during the last five years in Chhattisgarh, district-wise; (c) whether the Government has established or proposes to establish dedicated design, skill development and common facility centres for traditional Kosa weaving clusters in the State and, if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of measures taken to improve branding, Geographical Indication (GI)-based promotion, digital marketing and export opportunities for Chhattisgarh Kosa silk; and (e) the details of steps taken to ensure that traditional weaving skills are preserved through institutional training, artisan support and market-linked livelihood opportunities for rural and tribal youth? उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA) (a) to (e): The Ministry of Textiles is administering following schemes for the overall development of handloom sector and welfare of handloom workers across the country including Chhattisgarh: 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 workshed, 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 indomestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme and social security etc. The Government has undertaken various measures to safeguard Chhattisgarh's Kosa silk weaving heritage through skill development, sericulture promotion, artisan welfare, and market support. Schemes such as Samarth, state-level artisan training programmes, sericulture development initiatives, and the ODOP programme collectively contribute to preserving the traditional craft while encouraging the younger generation to view Kosa silk weaving as a viable cultural and economic profession. IHB was launched in the year 2015 with the objective is to promote production of niche handloom products with high quality, authentic traditional designs with zero defect and zero effect on environment. The Salient Features are 100 % Handloom, made of 100% Natural fibres, Assured Fast Colours, Skin Friendly Dyes & Socially Compliant. Champa Kosa (Tussar silk) Saree of Chhattisgarh has been registered under GI product in year 2010. For export promotion of GI products including State of Chhattisgarh, participation of handloom exporters/weavers in various International marketing events/fairs India International Trade Fair, Buyer Seller Meet, Reverse Buyer Seller Meet, Big Ticket events, Bharat Tex, are organised through Handloom Export Promotion Council. The Ministry of Textiles, through Digital India Corporation (DIC), operates the indiahandmade.com, e-commerce platform to provide handloom weavers direct market access, thereby reducing dependence on intermediaries and improving of profit margins. Further, the following support has been provided to handloom sector in Chhattisgarh during last five years and current year:  05 Small Handloom Clusters have been taken up for financial assistance of Rs. 3.82 crore benefitting to 1079 handloom weavers.  2,473 weavers provided improved looms and accessories under Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata.  1,593 handloom workers imparted Skill up-gradation training.  06 marketing events organised to facilitate and promote sales of Handloom Products.  To enhance productivity, marketing capabilities and facilitate better incomes, 02 Handloom Producer companies have been formed.  Total 111.97 lakh kg of yarn supplied under Transport Subsidy & Price Subsidy. *****