The government has introduced some of the measures including following in the union Budget 2025-26 to support manufacturing in textiles and traditional sector like handicraft including SC, ST, and OBC artisans:

1. To promote domestic production of technical textile products such as agro-textiles, medical textiles and geo textiles at competitive prices, addition of two more types of shuttle-less looms to the list of fully exempted textile machinery has been made. The BCD rate on knitted fabrics covered by nine tariff lines from “10% or 20%” to “20% or ` 115 per kg, whichever is higher” is also introduced

2. Export Promotion of Handicraft Goods: To facilitate exports of handicrafts, the time period for export has been extended from six months to one year, further extendable by another three months, if required. Nine items to the list of duty-free inputs have also been added. The duration for export of handicrafts manufactured from duty free inputs by bonafide exporters increased from 6 months to 1 year, further extendable by 3 months.

3. Mission for Cotton Productivity: The 5-year mission aims to facilitate significant improvements in productivity and sustainability of cotton farming, and promote extra-long staple cotton varieties.

The Ministry integrate evidence-based inclusion metrics and policies while implementing various schemes namely SAMARTH, National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP), National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) etc.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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MAM/SMP/NM

(Lok Sabha US Q4308)

(Release ID: 2157863)