On April 9, 2025, the Ministry of Textiles, under the leadership of Textile Secretary Neelam Shami Rao, convened a pivotal meeting in Bengaluru with the Weavers’ Service Association and other textile institutions. This gathering underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the handloom sector, a vital component of India’s rich cultural heritage and economy.
Financial Commitment:
In the current financial year, the central government has allocated over ₹364 crore to support handloom workers through two primary schemes:
- National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP): ₹192.06 crore has been disbursed under this scheme.
- Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS): ₹171.98 crore has been allocated to this initiative.
Beneficiaries and Benefits:
These schemes are designed to benefit the extensive network of over 35 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers across India.
National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP):
- Financial Support for Senior Awardee Weavers: Provides ₹8,000 per month to national awardee handloom weavers/workers above 60 years of age, who are in indigent circumstances with an annual income below ₹1 lakh.
- Educational Scholarships: Offers scholarships up to ₹2 lakh per annum for up to two children of handloom weavers/workers pursuing diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate courses in recognized textile institutions.
- Social Security Coverage: Extends affordable insurance coverage under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, providing protection against natural/accidental death and disabilities.
Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS):
- Price Subsidy: Offers a 15% price subsidy on cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, woolen and linen yarn, and blended yarn of natural fibers, with quantity restrictions. This subsidy is directly transferred to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
- Transport Subsidy: Provides freight reimbursement for the transportation of yarn, reducing input costs for weavers.
Implementation and Access:
The funds allocated under these schemes are channeled through various state and central government agencies, including the Weavers’ Service Centres and the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC). Individual weavers, self-help groups, joint liability groups, cooperative societies, handloom producer companies, and weaver entrepreneurs actively engaged in weaving are eligible to avail themselves of these benefits.
Application Process:
- NHDP Benefits: Weavers seeking financial assistance or scholarships can apply through their respective Weavers’ Service Centres or the Directorate of Handlooms in their state. Application forms and detailed guidelines are available on the official website of the Ministry of Textiles.
- RMSS Benefits: Eligible beneficiaries can apply for yarn subsidies and transport reimbursements via the NHDC’s online portal. The e-Dhaga app facilitates real-time tracking of procurement, supply, and subsidy disbursement.
Contact Information:
For further assistance and detailed information, stakeholders can reach out to:
- Ministry of Textiles:
- Address: Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi – 110011
- Phone: +91-11-23062226
- National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC):
- Address: Wegmans Business Park, Tower-1, Plot No.3, Knowledge Park-III, Surajpur Kasna Road, Greater Noida – 201306
- Phone: +91-120-2329600
This concerted effort by the Ministry of Textiles aims to provide comprehensive support to the handloom sector, ensuring the welfare of weavers and promoting the sustainability of this traditional industry.