TEXTILE AND HANDLOOM SECTOR

**Executive Summary** This document outlines the Indian government's initiatives to holistically develop and promote the textile and handloom sector. It details various schemes focused on infrastructure development, manufacturing competitiveness, research, skill development, and export promotion. These include financial assistance and need-based skill upgradation. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Major Schemes and Initiatives:** * PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme: Aims to create modern, integrated, world-class textile infrastructure. * Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Boosts large-scale manufacturing and enhances competitiveness in man-made fiber and apparel, and technical textiles. * National Technical Textiles Mission: Focuses on research, innovation, development, promotion, market development, skilling, and export promotion. * Silk Samagra-2: For comprehensive development of sericulture value chain. * SAMARTH Scheme: Provides demand-driven, placement-oriented skilling programs in the textile sector. * National Handloom Development Program, Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS), National Handicraft Development Program and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS): For end-to-end support for handloom and handicraft sectors. * **Financial Assistance under NHDP and RMSS:** * Provides assistance to eligible handloom agencies/workers for raw materials, upgraded looms, solar lighting, workshed construction, product diversification, design innovation, technical infrastructure, brand development (India Handloom Brand), e-commerce, marketing, concessional loans (Mudra scheme), and social security. * **Financial Assistance under NHDP and CHCDS** * Provides assistance to artisans through marketing events, skill development, cluster development, formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructural & technology support and research & development support, which benefit the traditional crafts and artisans throughout the country. * **GREAT Scheme:** * Under NTTM’s Research, Innovation and Development component, Grant for Research and Entrepreneurship across Aspiring innovators in Technical Textiles (GREAT) encourages innovators and start-ups in technical textiles. * Financial assistance of up to ₹50 lakh is provided for each approved project. * **SAMARTH Scheme Training:** * Provides need-based skill upgradation training for handloom workers/weavers in Uttar Pradesh, including Deoria and Ballia districts in areas like weaving, dyeing, printing, and designing. * 1,10,940 beneficiaries have been trained (passed) in Uttar Pradesh, including 205 and 6,837 in Deoria and Ballia, respectively. * **India Handloom Brand (IHB):** * Launched to brand high-quality handloom products to promote niche products with high quality, authentic designs with zero defects, and zero effect on environment. * **Marketing and Export Promotion:** * Domestic marketing events are organized for weavers. * The Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) participates in international marketing fairs. **Impact Analysis** **Handloom Agencies/Workers:** * **Impact:** Access to financial assistance for raw materials, technology upgrades, infrastructure, and marketing support, potentially leading to increased production and income. * **Action Required:** Apply for available schemes and utilize provided resources for business development and skill enhancement. **Artisans:** * **Impact:** Access to financial support for skill development, marketing, cluster development, and infrastructure, enabling them to preserve traditional crafts and improve livelihoods. * **Action Required:** Participate in offered programs and leverage resources to enhance skills and market their products effectively. **Young Innovators, Scientists/Technologists, and Start-up Ventures in Technical Textiles:** * **Impact:** Opportunity to receive financial assistance and support for translating innovative ideas into commercial technologies/products. * **Action Required:** Apply for the GREAT scheme and leverage resources to develop and commercialize technical textile innovations. **Handloom Weavers in Uttar Pradesh (including Deoria and Ballia):** * **Impact:** Opportunity to upgrade skills in technical areas of weaving, dyeing, and designing, leading to improved product quality and market competitiveness. * **Action Required:** Participate in SAMARTH scheme training programs to enhance skills and productivity. **Consumers:** * **Impact:** Access to high-quality, branded handloom products with authentic designs and zero defects. * **Action Required:** Support local weavers by purchasing handloom products.

Key Entities Referenced