The Centre has released over ₹364 crore in the current financial year (FY25) for schemes benefiting handloom workers, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita informed Parliament on Monday.
Of this, ₹192.06 crore was allocated under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), while ₹171.98 crore was disbursed under the Raw Material Supply Scheme. Other initiatives under NHDP include ₹8,000 per month for awardee handloom workers above 60 years in indigent circumstances and scholarships of up to ₹2 lakh per annum for their children pursuing higher education in textile institutions.
The government is also providing insurance coverage through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).
For the handicrafts sector, the Ministry of Textiles is implementing the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS), offering financial aid for skill development, marketing, cluster formation, and infrastructure support.
Additionally, the government has launched the &lsquo;Indie Haat&rsquo; initiative to promote Indian handloom and handicrafts on global platforms like Bharat Tex, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal for Local campaigns.
According to the <a href="https://www.investindia.gov.in/team-india-blogs/stitched-history-government-initiatives-and-insights-handloom-day">Fourth All India Handloom Census (2019&ndash;20)</a>, India has 3.52 million handloom workers, with over 70% being women. The industry accounts for about <a href="https://sscbs.du.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/10th-National-Handloom-Day.pdf">15% of India&rsquo;s total cloth production</a>&nbsp;and is the second-largest economic activity after agriculture, providing direct and indirect employment to over <a href="https://www.nabard.org/demo/auth/writereaddata/File/OC%2022.pdf">3 million weavers</a>.
Gujarat, too, has been supporting its handloom sector through policies like the Gujarat Textile Policy 2024, which offers capital subsidies, payroll assistance, and power tariff benefits. The state&rsquo;s Weavers&rsquo; Service Centre in Ahmedabad provides training and technical support to artisans, complementing national efforts to strengthen the sector.
(With agency input)

70% of India's 3.52 million+ handloom workers are women

Went towards boosting handloom sector with funding, scholarships, and insurance for weavers: Centre

₹364 Cr Disbursed for Handloom Schemes in FY25

Went towards boosting handloom sector with funding, scholarships, and insurance for weavers: Centre

March 24, 2025 | 14:13 IST