Latest news with #NationalHandloomDevelopmentProgramme
Hans India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Hans India
India's textiles exports crossed $37.75 billion in 2024-25: Minister
New Delhi: India's overall exports of textiles & apparel surged past $37.75 billion in 2024-25, which represented a 5 per cent increase over the corresponding figure of 35.87 billion for the previous financial year, the Parliament was informed on Friday. The government is implementing several schemes to enhance investments, generate employment opportunities and boost exports in the textile sector, Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. It has approved seven sites for the setting up of PM MITRA Parks, one each in Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. Infrastructure works worth Rs 1,197.33 crore for providing external infrastructure till the Park gates have been started by various state governments, and an expenditure of Rs 291.61 crore has been incurred so far, the minister said. The government is also implementing the National Handloom Development Programme and the Raw Material Supply Scheme to modernise and strengthen the handloom sector and for the welfare of handloom workers across the country. Under these schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies and workers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of worksheds, product diversification & design innovation, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers' MUDRA scheme and social security, the minister said. Besides, the government is implementing the Samarth scheme for capacity building in the textiles sector. The scheme aims to provide demand-driven, placement-oriented skilling programmes to supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organised textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding spinning and weaving, in the organised sector. Samarth is implemented on a pan-India basis. Under the Samarth scheme, as on July 24, a total of 4,57,724 beneficiaries have been trained (passed), including in the traditional sector like handloom & handicrafts, the minister added.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Over 34k weavers, 16k artisans benefited from schemes in 5 years: Min
1 2 Kendrapada: Over the past five years, 34,538 weavers and 16,210 artisans in Odisha have benefited from various govt schemes, according to Giriraj Singh , the minister of textiles. Across the country, 644,985 weavers and 510,320 artisans have received similar support during the same period, Singh announced in the Lok Sabha on Friday. In response to a query from Dorjee Tshering Lepcha, Singh detailed the beneficiaries across different states. Tamil Nadu had 125,463 weavers and 13,806 artisans benefit, while Uttar Pradesh had 120,818 weavers and 104,054 artisans supported. Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, and Telangana also reported significant numbers of beneficiaries. The minister highlighted that 71% of the handloom weaver population and 64% of the artisan population are women, emphasising that the schemes primarily benefit women weavers and artisans. The ministry of textiles implements several programmes, including the National Handloom Development Programme and the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme, to provide financial assistance for raw materials, looms, design innovation, and marketing. Also, the ministry offers 100% subsidies for work shed construction under the National Handloom Development Programme for BPL, SC, ST, women, transgender, and differently-abled weavers. These initiatives aim to sustain and enhance the livelihoods of weavers and artisans, with special incentives for ST communities to bolster their businesses. The govt continues to release funds to eligible handloom agencies based on viable proposals, ensuring ongoing support for this vital sector.
United News of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Rs1,480.71 cr released for handloom cottage industry in last five years: Minister Giriraj Singh
New Delhi, July 25 (UNI) According to the Fourth All India Handloom Census 2019-20, there are 31.45 lakh households across the country consisting of 35.22 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers in the country, Union Minister of Textiles, Giriraj Singh told the Rajya Sabha. 'For the development of handlooms and the well-being of weavers, the Ministry of Textiles is implementing two significant schemes - National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS). From 2020–21 to 2024–25, Rs1,516 crore was sanctioned and Rs1,480.71 crore was released under NHDP and RMSS,' the minister said in a written reply. He also stated that the handloom industry is still mostly unorganized and the Government does not offer direct employment to the weavers. Rather, traditional skill-based jobs still sustain livelihood in this industry. The government schemes provide monetary aid for procurement of raw materials, improved looms, solar lights, construction of worksheds, skill upgradation, innovation in product and design, marketing, concessional loan facility under the MUDRA scheme, and social security benefits. 'Impact assessments are carried out by the government before they extend or introduce new schemes. The schemes being implemented now were developed after third-party evaluations of earlier schemes and are from 2021-22 to 2025–26,' the minister said. UNI XC RN
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Mangalagiri handloom sarees and fabrics: woven in tradition, draped in legacy
At the foothills of the sacred hill temple of Panakala Narasimha Swamy in the heritage town of Mangalagiri, now a part of Amaravati the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, threads of faith, tradition, and craftsmanship converge into something truly timeless — Mangalagiri handloom saree. For centuries, devotees visiting the shrine would descend the hill not just spiritually enriched but also with a tangible token of cultural reverence — a handwoven saree — purchased from local artisans as a sacred ritual and a statement of elegance. Today, this rich tradition has blossomed into an iconic textile legacy that has earned the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag and global acclaim. The Mangalagiri handloom sector — based in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh — is not just about fabric. It is a living chronicle of India's handloom heritage, a resilient community of artisans, and a testament to the cultural economy that weaves together identity and livelihood. Recognized under the Government of India's 'One District One Product' (ODOP) initiative, the Mangalagiri saree and other textiles stand as a proud symbol of India's craft-centric development model. The Legacy of the Loom The uniqueness of Mangalagiri textiles lies in their minimalist grandeur. Known for their fine cotton texture, striking borders and absence of embroidery in the body, these sarees exude a quiet sophistication. The hallmark of the weave is the Nizam border — a majestic zari-edged design marked by tiny temple gopurams — paired with elegant stripes or checks on the pallu. The designs speak volumes about the regional religious ethos, where devotion and design have long coexisted. It's not just sarees that emerge from these looms. Mangalagiri weavers produce a versatile range of products like salwar suits, dupattas, shirting fabrics, towels, bed linens and even mosquito nets. Cotton remains the preferred medium, giving the fabric a lightweight, breathable quality — perfect for India's climate. Guntur and Palnadu districts hosts 21 cooperative societies solely dedicated to Mangalagiri handlooms, supporting over 4,500 active weavers and nearly 5,000 ancillary workers, Assistant Director, Handlooms and Textiles, B. Udaya Kumar explains. The importance of these numbers is not just economic but deeply social — each loom supports families, preserves artistry, and upholds tradition. A Heritage Under Siege — and Rescued Despite their enduring appeal, the Mangalagiri weavers have faced numerous challenges over time. The proliferation of powerlooms, declining profits, and market competition had started to threaten the very survival of the handloom clusters and as a result the number of weavers also has been declining gradually. Recognizing this, both the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh intervened with focused policy measures. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) have provided a much-needed lifeline. Now, the Small Cluster Development Progamme (SCDP) under NHDP is also being implemented here. Covering 265 beneficiaries in Mangalagiri-1 cluster for their looms development under SCDP, government has sanctioned more than ₹91 lakh, with the GoI share as ₹87 lakh and GoAP contributing more than ₹4 lakh, Mr. Udaya Kumar explained. In fact, it is a part of the total amount of more than ₹2.09 crore sanctioned under the programme for five clusters in the State, including Trikoteswara in Bapatla district, Kalahasteeswara and Narayanavanam in Tirupati district, Chilakaluripet-1 in Palnadu district and the Mangalagiri-1 in Guntur district. The government is also providing special incentives for the female weavers. In addition to that the government is also ensured MUDRA loans to 161 beneficiaries to a tune of about ₹1.3 crore in Mangalagiri, he added. Under these schemes, the district has seen the construction of over 190 individual worksheds, distribution of hundreds of upgraded looms, and the creation of common facility centres. These physical spaces have not only improved productivity, but also restored dignity to the artisans who now work in safer, better-equipped environments near their homes. Design training has been another game-changer. The Andhra Pradesh government partnered with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad and the National Institute of Design (NID), Guntur, to equip weavers with skills that blend traditional weaving with modern aesthetics. Over 400 individuals — weavers, designers, and cluster executives — have undergone this training, learning everything from colour theory and pattern drafting to marketing and e-commerce. 'This training helped the individuals to enhance their skills in understanding the traditional wisdom using skills, materials, tools and marketing approaches. As part of the programme they have been learning the fundamentals of design, specific textile and apparel methods, textile fibres, weave structures, surface design, dyeing techniques, colouration, printing methods, pattern making, draping and sewing techniques,' according to an official of the Textiles department. Meagre Earnings is a Cause of Concern Bitra Nageswara Rao, a 60-year-old handloom worker with an experience of about 45 years, said that they earn about ₹8,000 per month on an average in a year and the merchants pay ₹4,000 to ₹5,000 per four sarees. It takes a couple of days for each saree to be weaved. At the same time, the weavers have to spend more than ₹1,000 on other ancillary work like bundling the threads. After completing the four sarees, the worker will be left with only ₹3,000 for four sarees, he added. Mr. Nageswara Rao explained that they mix silk, cotton and zari to produce fine quality saree. He said that, even though the government provided some skill training in jacquard looms, many of the weavers could not adopt it due to the complexity involved. Meanwhile, Mr. Udaya Kumar said that to survive the weavers in Mangalagiri will have to adopt the jacquard looms and improve their skills like the weavers in Chirala, who have been producing the Kuppadam sarees, which command a higher price than Mangalagiri sarees because of their designs. Mangalagiri weavers also could produce more designs by going for the jacquard looms, he explained. Weaving into the Modern Economy What sets Mangalagiri apart is how it balances heritage with innovation. The sarees and fabrics are now being actively promoted at national and international exhibitions. From the Saamuhika Exhibition at A.P. Bhavan, New Delhi, to the Craft Bazaar in Navi Mumbai and the State Handloom Expo in Guntur, the district administration has ensured that these exquisite weaves get their rightful space in the spotlight. Retail channels too have undergone a revolution. Thanks to government-backed encouragement, many Mangalagiri weavers now market their products via e-commerce portals. This has opened up new revenue streams and eliminated exploitative middlemen from the equation. Financial inclusion has also been addressed. Schemes like MUDRA loans, Cash Credit, and DRDA/MEPMA loans have enabled more than 1,000 weavers to access capital for expanding operations or starting entrepreneurial ventures. From Local Threads to Global Recognition The district administration's efforts have culminated in Mangalagiri Sarees being one of the most compelling contenders for the ODOP Award, a national-level recognition for excellence in indigenous products. The proposal argues not only on the merit of cultural significance and design excellence, but also on the strength of institutional support, community upliftment, and economic impact. The symbolism of a Mangalagiri saree today is multilayered — it is a cloth of worship, a flag of sustainability, a badge of indigenous pride, and a product of tireless human craftsmanship. As India seeks to reimagine its rural economies through the lens of tradition, the Mangalagiri handloom sector offers a luminous example of how to do it right. From temple rituals to international runways, the journey of the Mangalagiri saree is a tapestry of belief, resilience, and brilliance. And as long as these looms continue to hum their melodic rhythm, the legacy of Mangalagiri will remain woven into the very fabric of Indian identity.
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Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Finance ministry pushes public sector banks to expedite loans for weavers
Handloom organizations also benefit from an interest subvention, receiving loans at a concessional interest rate of 6 per cent for three years New Delhi Listen to This Article The finance ministry has directed public sector banks (PSBs) to ensure prompt sanctioning and disbursement of loans to eligible handloom beneficiaries to boost credit assistance to players via term loans as well as working capital needs. 'PSBs have also been directed to submit claims for margin money, interest subvention, and credit guarantee fees through the Handloom Weaver Mudra Portal. To facilitate access and streamline processes, a centralised portal has been developed in collaboration with Punjab National Bank,' said a senior government official. A component of the National Handloom Development Programme, the concessional credit scheme for weavers under the Pradhan Mantri
