On National Handloom Day, know top 5 Handloom development schemes of Indian Govt

India is known for crafting exceptional handloom products that are full of colours depicting the native enthusiasm for celebrating life. On the other hand, India’s distinctive printing, weaving, and spinning are known across the world for their quality and supreme technique to beautifully blend every hue and thread.

Since most of the looms in India are operated in towns and villages, the skill is passed from one generation to the other and is comparatively cheaper than available in the world elsewhere.

However, with the changing times and evolution in other techniques of fabric designing, the weavers and looms in India are facing a lot of issues. From being side-lined by major fabric manufacturers in the city to getting low payment for their hard work, the traditional weavers and printers now require some support from the government both in terms of finance and infrastructure.

On National Handloom Day, know about the top 5 Handloom Development Schemes that are being promoted by the Indian government.

National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)

This scheme was introduced in the financial year 2021-2022 and will be running through 2025-2026. The scheme has been introduced for the welfare of weavers from the handloom industry so that a comprehensive and integrated development of the handlooms is made possible.

The main aim of the scheme is to make the group of weavers self-sustainable and promote cluster growth and strategic places.

Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)

The objective of this scheme is to build big handloom clusters comprising at least 15000 looms in each cluster. The target is the holistic development of these looms and the government intends to cover at least 10,000 handlooms through this scheme offering Rs 30 crores to each Mega Cluster depending upon their needs.

The scheme is currently being implemented in Varanasi, Sivasagar, Virudhanagar, Murshidabad, Prakasam, and Guntur districts, Godda and neighbouring districts, Trichy, and Bhagalpur.

Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)

Through this scheme, the government wants to offer social security to the handloom weavers and workers by ensuring that the handloom products are reasonably and universally priced. Offering insurance protection for elements against accidental and natural deaths as well as partial or total disability is one part of this scheme.

Weavers Mudra Scheme (WMS)

The main objective of this program is to encourage and allow banks to promptly and adequately offer support to the handloom industry in the country by fulfilling its credit needs related to term loans and working capital.

Under the Weaver MUDRA Scheme, the weavers are offered credit at an exclusive interest rate of 6%. Margin money support of a maximum of Rs 10,000 and a credit guarantee of 3 years is also offered under this scheme.

Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS)

This scheme is implemented through National Handloom Development Corporation throughout the nation so that yarn of all varieties is accessible at the Mill Gate Price.

Under this scheme, all yarns are eligible to get freight cost reimbursement. Hank yarn for domestic silk, wool, cotton, and linen can also get a subsidy of 10% with restrictions on quantity.