According to 4^th All India Handloom Census 2019-20, there are 31.45 lakh households across the country consisting of 35.22 lakh handloom weavers & allied workers. Accordingly, it is considered that 31.45 lakhs handloom cottage units are functioning in the country.

Handloom sector is unorganized, in which the Government does not provide direct employment to the weavers/workers. Handloom weavers/workers involve in traditional skilled activities, which provide self-employment to them. However, Ministry of Textiles is implementing (i) National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and (ii) Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) to promote handlooms and for welfare of handloom weavers across the country. Under these schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme, social security, payment to awardee weavers in indigent circumstances etc.  

Under the schemes of NHDP and RMSS, funds of Rs. 1,516 crores were allocated and Rs. 1,480.71 crores were disbursed during the last five years i.e. 2020-21 to 2024-25.

Before the schemes are continued/ new schemes are formulated, the impact study of the existing schemes are evaluated. NHDP and RMSS were formulated for implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26 after third party impact evaluation of the previous schemes in existence. 

This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF TEXTILES SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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MAM/SMP