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CHAPTER V Handloom Industry INTRODUCTION The Handloom sector plays a very important role in the country’s
economy. It is one of the
largest economic activity providing direct employment to over 65 lakh persons
engaged in weaving and allied activities. Due to effective Government intervention through financial
assistance and implementation of various developmental and welfare schemes,
this sector has been able to withstand competition from the powerloom and mill
sectors. As a result of these
measures, the production of handloom fabrics registered more than ten fold
increase from a level of 500 million sq. metres in the early fifties to 7352
million sq. metres in 1999-2000.
This sector constitutes nearly 19 per cent of the total cloth produced
in the country and also contributes substantially to the export
earnings. Handloom forms a part
of the heritage of India and exemplifies the richness and diversity of our
country and the artistry of the weavers. The Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms has been
implementing since its inception in the year 1976, various schemes for the
promotion and development of the
handloom sector and providing assistance to the handloom weavers in a variety
of ways. Some of the major
programmes formulated by this office relate to: a) Employment
Generation Programme b) Modernisation
and Upgradation of Technology c) Input
Support d) Marketing
Support e) Publicity f) Infrastructural
Support g) Welfare
Measures h) Composite
Growth Oriented Package i) Development
of Exportable Products j) Research
& Development All these measures aim at meeting the objectives enshrined in the
Directives Principles of State Policy for the growth of decentralised
handloom sector. All the schemes
are weaver oriented. Concerted
efforts are being made through the schemes and programmes to enhance
productivity, income and socio-economic status of weavers by upgrading their
skills and providing essential inputs. NEW INITIATIVES In order to provide financial assistance in an integrated manner
to the handloom weavers and strengthen the design segment of the fabric,
Government of India had taken new initiatives in addition to ongoing other
schemes and programmes by launching new scheme, namely, Deen Dayal Hathkargha
Protsahan Yojana and set up a National Centre for Textile Design (NCTD)
recently. DEENDAYAL HATHKARGHA
PROTSAHAN YOJANA Deendayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojna has been introduced during
the current financial year in order to provide assistance for product
development, infrastructure and institutional support, training to weavers,
supply of equipment and marketing support etc. both at macro and micro level
in an integrated and coordinated manner for an overall development of
handloom sector and benefit of the weavers. The scheme will remain in operation till the end of the
10th Five Year Plan. The scheme
could be broadly divided into the following components and categories in
order to suit the requirement of the beneficiaries who can avail of one or
more component on the basis of their requirement and as per their
eligibility: 1) Basic
Inputs. 2) Infrastructure
Support. 3) Design
Input. 4) Publicity
5) Marketing
Incentive 6) Transport
Subsidy 7) Strengthening
of Handloom Organisations Grant portion of the projects is to be shared in the ratio of
50:50 between the Centre and the State Governments. In the case of North
Eastern States, Sikkim and J&K, the sharing would be in the ratio of
90:10 between the Central & State Governments. In the case of agencies having 100% SC/ST/Women/
Minorities population, the grant portion will be shared in the ratio of 75:25 between the
Centre and the State. The assistance under Marketing Incentive component is
to be shared in the ratio of 50:50 between the Central and State Governments
in respect of all the States. The following agencies are eligible to implement one or more of
the components of the scheme as per their requirement under the project
unless specified otherwise under
the component: 1) National
Level Handloom Organisations. 2) State
Handloom Development Corporations. 3) Apex
Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Societies/ Federations. 4) Primary
Handloom Weavers’ Cooperative Societies. 5) Self
Help Groups/NGOs recognised by State Handloom Corporations fulfilling the
criteria for assistance from CAPART; and 6) Weavers’
Service Centres. The scheme entails an expenditure of nearly Rs.690.00 crores
involving share of Central Government of Rs.360.00 crores and State share
roughly Rs.330.00 crores during the remaining period of the IXth Plan and
entire period of X Plan. NATIONAL CENTRE FOR
TEXTILE DESIGN (NCTD) The National Centre for Textile Design has been set up to provide
information on fashion trends, colour and design forecast, etc. for the benefit
of weavers, exporters, handloom agencies and all other persons connected with
the Textile Sector. NCTD aims to undertake online activities such as trends &
forecasts both at National and International level, to set up an extensive
database or cyber yellow pages, a design pool, the virtual Museum of Heritage
Textiles etc. The offline activities envisage organizing special exhibitions
on a sustained basis and setting up of a legal cell and providing designs
consultancy services. The Centre
aims to benefit the weaver by linking him to the market. The online activities of the NCTD are to be articulated through
its website called "designdiary.com". ONGOING SCHEMES &
PROGRAMMES ENFORCEMENT OF HANDLOOMS
RESERVATION ACT The Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985
aims to protect millions of handloom weavers from the encroachment made on
their livelihood by the powerloom operators and textile mill sector, by
reserving certain catagories of textile articles for exclusive production by
handlooms. Eleven categories of
textile articles are presently reserved for exclusive production by
handlooms, vide notification dated 26.07.1996 and amendment dated 02.6.1999
& 25.04.2000. The progress of implementation of the aforesaid Act by various implementing
agencies during 1998-99, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 is as follows:-
To ensure effective implementation of the Act, releases under the
scheme 'Central Assistance to the States/UTs for setting up of Enforcement
Machinery' has been made to the various States, namely Bihar, Rajasthan, Kerala,
Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Haryana etc.
The expenditure under Central Assistance Scheme shall be fully funded
by the Centre during the Ninth Five Year Plan. During the Tenth Five Year Plan, central assistance will
be reduced on a tapering manner @ 20% per annum and on the basis of such
commitments, received from the states/UTs, funds are being released to
different states/UTs. The details of Central Assistance released during 1998-99,
1999-2000 and 2000-2001 is as follows:
INPUT SUPPORT Handloom sector is largely dependent on the organised mill sector
for supply of its principal raw-material, namely Yarn. This sector uses the bulk of its yarn
in the form of hanks. The
Central Government has been making efforts to ensure regular supply of yarn
to the handloom sector by enforcing hank yarn packing notification strictly. MILL GATE PRICE SCHEME The Scheme was introduced in the year 1992-93 with an objective
to supply yarn at Mill Gate Price to the handloom weavers through National
Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC). Under the scheme, till the year 1994-95 the rate of
reimbursement to the NHDC was @ 2% of the value of yarn supplied, which has
been enhanced from 1995-96 @ 3.5% and from 1997-98 onwards @ 4%. The agencies covered upto 1994-95
were limited to State Apex/Regional/Weavers Cooperative Societies and
Handloom Development Corporations, which has been extended from 1995-96
onwards to the Handloom Development Centres and Primary Societies having a
turnover of more than Rs.50.00 lakhs. Since 1997-98, All India Handloom
Organizations, approved Export Houses, NGOs fulfilling CAPART norms, etc. are
also eligible to avail the benefit under the Scheme. In line with the Government of India’s decision to promote
production of high value items in the handloom sector as well as the increasing
use of jute and jute blended yarn for production of jute and blended fabrics,
the Government of India from 1996-97 has decided to include supply of Silk
and Jute Yarn also under the scheme. During the last 5 years, a sum of Rs.1299.95 lakhs were released
to NHDC under scheme. The
releases made during the current year is Rs.390.13 lakhs (as on 28.2.2001)
The year wise details are given below:
Under the scheme, supplies of yarn have increased from 49.42
lakhs kg. in 1993-94 to 193.435 lakhs kg. during 1999-2000. During 2000-2001, NHDC has supplied
109.22 lakh kg. yarn upto Dec.' 2000. EMPLOYMENT GENERATION During the year 1999-2000, a total production of 7352 million sq.
metres of cloth was achieved.
The handloom sector provides employment to about 124 lakh persons. TRAINING TO HANDLOOM
PERSONNEL To impart Training in modern management and Production
techniques, dyeing practices, Marketing of handloom products etc., the office
of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms has been operating training
programmes for human resources development in the Cooperative sector for the
benefit of personnel engaged in Handloom sector at different levels through
Institutions like NCCT, NCUI and NHDC.
The main objective of such programmes is to create consciousness on
the latest techniques in dyeing/printing and processing of Handloom fabrics
and awareness among the members and the functionaries of the Handloom
cooperatives about their rights and duties and to inculcate in them the
spirit of cooperation and enhance their participation in the day to day
activities. The NCUI conducted 526 Classes covering 19,504 beneficiaries,
NCCT 22 classes for 521 beneficiaries and NHDC 12 Classes for 892
Beneficiaries in different parts of the Country during the year 1999-2000 for
the benefit of weavers and personnel engaged in the sector. During the year 1999-2000 a sum of
Rs. 50.00 Lakhs was released by Government of India to NCUI, NCCT and NHDC to
under take these programmes. During the period April-December, 2000, NCUI conducted 730
Classes covering 13,826 beneficiaries, NCCT 26 Programmes for 657 beneficiaries.
During the year 2000-2001 a sum of Rs. 30.00 lakhs has been released by Govt.
of India to NCCT, NCUI under this programme. WEAVERS' SERVICE CENTRES/
INDIAN INSTITUTES OF HANDLOOM TECHNOLOGY (WSC/IIHT) Weavers' Service Centres and Indian Institutes of Handloom
Technology constitute Research and Development Wings of the Office of the
Development Commissioner for Handlooms.
24 Weavers' Service Centres and 4 Indian Institutes of Handloom
Technology have considerably strengthened the handloom industry by providing
technically trained manpower, development of new designs, improvement in
weaving and processing techniques, upgradation of skill etc. throughout the
country. The Decentralised
Training Programme was introduced in 1987 with an objective to generate
gainful employment by upgrading the skills to enhance the productivity and
income of weavers. Under this
programme, assistance is provided towards the cost of material, looms,
accessories, equipments, stipend to the trainees and honorarium to the Master
Trainer. The implementation of
the Scheme is made through the Weavers' Service Centre in co-ordination with
the State Governments. Upto
November' 2000, an expenditure of Rs.1020.36 lakhs was incurred to cover
16,692 weavers. The existing
Scheme has been modified from 1st April, 2000. Under the modified scheme, specific provision has been
made for providing assistance for training in design development and dyeing
techniques, besides training in weaving. During 2000-2001, the target is to cover 2,500
weavers. Till 28.2.2001, 2875
weavers have been covered under this scheme and sum of Rs.186.99 lakhs
sanctioned. PUBLICITY AND EXHIBITION To provide marketing support to handloom agencies and the
individual weavers, the Office
of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms assist the State
Governments to organize the National Handloom Expos/Special Expos,
District Level Events, Craft
Melas etc. in different parts of the country. For this purpose, financial support is provided to the
implementing agency towards infrastructure, Publicity etc. These activities are supportive to
the handloom agencies, weavers and also to the consumer as it provides them an opportunity to
purchase the handloom products of various states under one roof. During the year 2000-01, a budgetary
provision of Rs.4.45 Crores has been made for publicising the development
activities of the handloom sector and facilitate marketing of handloom
products through fairs and exhibitions.
In order to keep pace with the momentum and the acceleration of
publicity gained in the past year, programmes were drawn well in advance in
consultation with the State Governments. During the year 1999-2000, 6 National Handloom Expos and 2
Special Expos, 44 District Level Events, 4 Craft Melas and 1 Master Creations
Programme have been organized in
the different parts of the country. Till date, 4 National Handloom Expos at
Hyderabad, Delhi(Dilli Haat), Jaipur, Pune and Five Special Expo Silk Fab,
IITF, Woollen Fab at Delhi, Silk Fab at Lucknow and Special Exhibition (Ek Jagaran) at Guwahati have been
organized. The office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms is also
participating in the Craft Melas at Shilpgram (Udaipur), Suraj Kund (Haryana), Craft Bazar
Madepura ( Hyderabad), Taj
Mahotsav (Agra), Master
Creation Programme at Dilli Haat, New Delhi and Dilli Haat by sponsoring
weavers for demonstration of their crafts together with sale of handloom
products. As on 28.2.2001 Four Melas i.e. Shilpgram (Udaipur), Craft Bazar
Madepura (Hyderabad), Surajkund (Haryana), Taj Mahotsav (Agra) and one Master
Creation Programme at Dilli Haat, New Delhi have been participated. In above to give importance to
the marketing of handloom products, assistance is also provided to handloom
agencies/organisations like State Handloom Apex Federation, State Handloom
Corporations etc. to organize District Level Fairs (Melas) , Festivals
(Parvas) and setting up of Urban
Haats in different parts of the
country etc. As on date funds
for 90 District Level Events, 11 National Handloom Expos/Special Expo Craft
Bazar (Madepura), Hyderabad, Surajkund (Haryana) and for All India Craft Mela
at Hyderabad have been sanctioned to various implementing agencies. SCHEME FOR HANDLOOM EXPORT
DEVELOPMENT The importance of the handloom sector in the national economy can
not be over emphasised. On
account of having the advantage of flexibility of small production run,
uniqueness, innovation and adaptability, this sector can
contribute towards export earnings in a big way. Export of handloom has therefore been identified as a
“Thrust Area” for the overall development of the sector. The Government is exploring the
possibility of making optimal use of the resources to enhance production capabilities
of exportable products. In order to give substantial impetus to the export of handloom
fabric, made-ups and other handloom items from the country, a scheme for
Development of Exportable Products and their Marketing was introduced during
1996-97. Under the scheme, the
assistance is available for developing exportable products, building up
production capability for export and thereafter marketing it. National and State level Handloom Corporations, Apex Cooperative
societies, Primary Cooperative societies and Handloom Cooperative Societies
affiliated to /registered and sponsored by Councils/Corporations, Handloom
Export Promotion Council, Association of Corporations and Apex Societies of
Handlooms, Handicrafts and Handloom Export Corporation, Indian Silk Export
Promotion Council, National Handloom Development Corporation etc. are
eligible for assistance under this scheme. Private handloom exporters can also be assisted through
HEPC. The project cost in
respect of the agency sponsored by the State Governments is shared by the
State Government itself or by the beneficiary agency. The agencies sponsored by Central
Government like HEPC, HHEC, NHDC, ACASH etc. are entitled to 100% assistance
from the Government of India under the
scheme. Since the inception of the scheme in October, 1996, year-wise
releases made till 1999-2000 are as mentioned in Table 5.1 Table 5.1
There is a budgetary provision of Rs. 400.00 lakhs under the
scheme for the year 2000-01.
During the current year assistance under the scheme has been availed by as many as 9 States and 3
National Level Organisations/Councils and a sum of Rs. 201.41 lakhs released
till 7th March 2001. PROJECT PACKAGE SCHEME With a view to provide the requisite inputs in an integrated and
coordinated manner to the handloom weavers covering assistance for
pre/on/post loom facilities, the Project Package Scheme introduced in the
year 1991-92 was in operation upto 31.3.2000. The essential components of the scheme have been merged
with the new Scheme namely “Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana. Since
inception of the Scheme in the year 1991-92 till 1999-2000 as many as 2794
projects were sanctioned to various States/UTs covering 3,35,178 beneficiary
weavers and a sum of Rs. 16696.20 lakhs released. During the current
financial year, as on 28.2.2001, a sum of Rs. 1518.96 lakhs has been released
in respect of 287 projects as second instalment of central assistance.
Year-wise break-up of releases made under the Project Package Scheme is shown
in the graph below. On introduction of the Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana from the current financial year, the Project Package Scheme stands
discontinued w.e.f. 01.04.2000 and only balance central assistance in respect
of already sanctioned projects would be released on receipt of viable
proposals from the State Governments.
HANDLOOM DEVELOPMENT CENTRE AND QUALITY DYEING UNIT SCHEME With a view to ensure timely supply of yarn of the requisite
quality and counts, to provide training in improved dyeing practices and to
tie up the marketing of cloth produced in the sector and also to provide
adequate working capital to sustain long term production etc., the Scheme for
Handloom Development Centre and Quality Dyeing Unit was introduced during the
year 1993-94 to set up 3000 Handloom Development Centres (HDCs) and 500
Quality Dyeing Units (QDUs) in
different parts of the country over a period of 4 years. The Scheme envisages provision of a
composite assistance to the tune of Rs. 27.00 lakhs for each Centre which
includes Rs. 10.00 lakhs as Central Grant and Rs. 17.00 lakhs as loan through
NABARD. The assistance for each
Quality Dyeing Unit was Rs. 7.83 lakhs of which Rs. 4.265 lakhs was Central
Grant and Rs. 3.565 lakhs as loan through NABARD. Since inception of the Scheme in the year 1993-94 till 31.3.98, 1848 HDCs and 391 QDUs were sanctioned and a sum of Rs. 90.60 crores released to various State Governments. Yearwise details of Central assistance released under the scheme is shown in the graph below. The Government approved continuation of the scheme during the
remaining period of the 9th Plan to meet committed liabilities in respect of
already sanctioned projects only.
During 1999-2000, balance central assistance worth Rs. 3.96 crores in
respect of 129 HDCs was released.
During the current financial year (upto 28.2.2001), a sum of Rs. 82.75 lakhs has been
released in respect of 25 HDCs
as second instalment. WORKSHED-CUM-HOUSING
SCHEME The Government of India introduced the centrally sponsored scheme
called “Workshed-cum-Housing Scheme” for handloom weavers from the beginning
of VII Five Year Plan i.e. 1985-86.
The scheme is implemented primarily with a view to provide suitable
work place to weavers and thereby achieve better productivity. The Scheme is implemented by the
respective State Handloom
Development Corporations,
primary societies or any other specialised agency setup by the concerned
State Government for the execution of such projects. During the year 1997-98, the scheme was modified for the IX Five
Year Plan and Central Assistance enhanced as per details given below:-
During the year 1999-2000 a sum of Rs. 1245.00 lakhs was released
to the State Governments for construction of 11,224 units of workshed/Workshed-cum-Houses. For the current financial year 2000-2001, a sum of Rs. 1500.00
lakhs has been earmarked under the scheme. Out of Rs.1500.00 lakhs, a sum
of Rs. 500.00 lakhs has been
earmarked for the North Eastern States. So far a sum of Rs. 1267.97 lakhs has
been released to various State Governments as on 07.03.2001. Out of the total
releases, Rs. 416.04 lakhs has been released to NE States. WELFARE PACKAGE SCHEME: A provision of Rs.900 Lakhs has been made for
2000-2001 for Welfare Schemes i.e. Thrift Fund, Group Insurance and Health
Package Scheme. Out of Rs.
900.00 lakhs, a sum of Rs.300.00 lakhs has been earmarked for the North
Eastern States. HEALTH PACKAGE SCHEME The Government of India introduced the Health Package Scheme for
Handloom Weavers during the year 1992-93. Under this Scheme weavers are provided financial
assistance for the treatment of diseases like asthma, TB, inflammation of the
respiratory system, cost of testing of eyes and spectacles, supply of
drinking water, maternity benefits to women weavers, payment of additional
compensation for permanent measures of family planning and
infrastructure for primary
health care. During the year 1999-2000, a sum of Rs.273.10 lakhs was released
to the State Governments to cover 43,958 weavers under the scheme. During the year 2000-2001, upto 07.03.2001 a sum of Rs. 237.77
lakhs has been released to the State Governments under the scheme out of
which Rs. 47.55 lakhs has been released to NE States. THRIFT FUND SCHEME FOR
HANDLOOM WEAVERS THE Thrift Fund Scheme for Handloom Weavers was introduced in the
VII Five Year Plan as one of the special welfare measure from the
Government. The Scheme envisages
the creation of a fund in the nature of a provident fund involving contribution
from the members @ 6% of wages earned by them and a contribution of 3% of the
wages by the Central and State Government, totalling 6%. The annual contribution of 3% from
Central Government was earlier subject to a ceiling of Rs.90 per beneficiary. The Government of India has revised
this scheme from the year 1992-93 and made it more beneficial for
weavers. The weavers
belonging to corporate sector have also been covered under the scheme. As per the present funding pattern is
8% of the wages is contributed from the weavers, 4% each from the Central and
State Governments. The earlier ceiling of the Government of India
contribution of Rs.90 per weaver per annum has been lifted under the new
scheme. During the year 1999-2000, a sum of Rs. 348.98 lakhs was released
to the State Governments to cover 3,89,935 weavers under the scheme. During the year 2000-2001, upto 07.03.2001 a sum of Rs. 299.05
lakhs has been released to the State Governments under the scheme, out of
which Rs. 0.29 lakhs has been released to NE States. GROUP INSURACNCE SCHEME The Government of India introduced a Group Insurance scheme for
Handloom Weavers throughout the country from the year 1992-93 in order to
help weaver to meet his socio-economic obligation towards his family and to
act as a support system against the uncertainty of his working capacity in
old age. Under the Scheme a
weaver is provided an insurance coverage of Rs.10,000/- for an annual premium
@ Rs.120/-. The premium is
shared equally among the beneficiary, Central Government and State
Government. During the year 1999-2000 a sum of Rs. 77.91 lakhs was released
to the State Governments to cover 1,96,604 weavers under the scheme. During the year 2000-2001, upto 07.03.2001 a sum of Rs. 65.92
lakhs has been released to the State Governments under the scheme. NEW INSURANCE SCHEME FOR
HANDLOOM WEAVERS In order to provide relief to handloom weavers in the 50th year
of Independence, the Government of India introduced the New Insurance Scheme
for weavers through United India Insurance Company Ltd. for the Ninth five
Year Plan. The New Insurance
Scheme provides enhanced coverage against various types of risk at the same
annual premium of Rs.120/-. The
share of Central Government was increased from Rs.40/- per annum to Rs.60/- per annum and
consequently the financial burden on handloom weavers towards payment of
premium reduced from Rs.40/- per
annum of Rs.20/- per annum. This
is also in conformity with the
directives issued under the Common Minimum Programme of the Government, in
which special reference has been made to initiate steps for the welfare of
under - privileged and deprived section of the community. Handloom weavers are among the most
backward sections of society. By
reduction in payment of premium from Rs.40/- to Rs.20/- per year the
financial burden on handloom weavers will be about six paise per day
(365x0.06=21.90). During the year 1999-2000, a sum of Rs. 25.00 lakhs was released
to United India Insurance Company Ltd. to cover 41,666 Handloom weavers of
the States. During the year 2000-2001, provision of Rs. 25.00 lakhs has been
made in the RE under the New Insurance Scheme for Handloom Weavers and a sum
of Rs. 25.00 lakhs has been released as Central Government share to the
United India Insurance Co. Ltd. to cover 41666 Handloom weavers of various
State Governments (as on 28.2.2001). RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Under the Research & Development during the year 1999-2000,
assistance was released to 18 Projects including on-going projects sanctioned
to Handloom corporation/Primary cooperative Societies and other organisations
for the development of Handloom Sector. The main objective of these projects is to assist weavers through
the supply of input support, marketing of their products etc. to improve
their living and working conditions.
Some projects have been sanctioned to reputed research institutes to
elicit a feedback on economic, social aesthetic, technical and promotional
aspects of the handloom sector. During 1999-2000 a sum of Rs.60.00 Lakhs was released to
different organisation under this scheme. For the current financial year 2000-2001 a budget provision of
Rs.44.00 lakhs has been kept for R&D Projects at RE stage and a sum of
Rs.25.00 lakhs has been released to the concerned Organisations/Primary
Societies. MARKETING THROUGH ACASH
The Association of Corporations and Apex Societies of Handlooms
(ACASH), New Delhi was registered in 1984 under the Societies Registration
Act to coordinate and promote marketing in the Handloom Sector. It serves as
the nodal agency for supply of handloom goods to be purchased by Central
Government Departments/ Agencies/ Public Sector Undertakings etc. under Single Tender System
(STS). During the year 2000-2001
(till 28.2.2001) ACASH received supply orders worth Rs 24.22 crores and
executed orders worth Rs. 20.85 crores. It is expected to complete supplies
of goods worth Rs.22.00 crores by 31st March 2001. In addition to STS, ACASH organised and participated in the following
domestic & international evens during 1999-2000. INTERNATIONAL FAIRS 1) Participated
in Food & Hotel Asia’2000 at Singapore from April 11-14, 2000. Representatives of ACASH displayed
the samples of 5 handloom agencies. 2) Participated
in India Trade Exhibition at Tel Aviv (Israel) from May 3-7, 2000. 2 handloom agencies participated. 3) Participated
in the International Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Fashion Accessory
Exhibition at Melbourne (Australia) from May 14-16, 2000. Four handloom agencies
participated. 4) Participated
in Buyer-Seller-Meet at Osaka (Japan from May 23-25, 2000. Four handloom agencies participated. 5) Participated
in SAITEX at Johannesburg (South Africa) from June 3-7, 2000. Three handloom agencies participated. 6) Heimtextil
2001 at Frankfrut, Germany from January 10-13, 2001. 20 representatives
displayed exportable variety of the Handloom products at the Fair. DOMESTIC EXHIBITION 1. National
Handloom Expo at Dilli Haat, Delhi from Oct. 4-20, 2000. 100 handloom agencies from various
parts of the country participated. 2. Handlooms
2000 was organised from 14-27 Nov., 2000. 37 handloom agencies from various parts of the country
participated. ALL INDIA HANDLOOM FABRICS
MARKETING COOPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED The All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society
Ltd., Delhi is a National Level Cooperative Society presently governed under
the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984 and comes under the
jurisdiction of the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies, New
Delhi. The procurement of
handloom products from Apex, Regional and Primary Handloom Cooperative
Societies and the promotion and marketing of handloom fabrics both within the
country and abroad are the main objectives of the Society. To achieve these objectives, the
Fabrics Society has set up 25 Retail Outlets, which are popularly known as
“HANDLOOM HOUSE”. The Society
has its Export Houses at New Delhi, Salem and Chennai. Also, the Society has showrooms at
Singapore and Mauritius for giving an impetus to marketing of Indian handloom
products in the foreign markets. The affairs of the Society are administered by a Board of
Directors consisting of 21 Members including three Government of India
nominees. Membership of the Fabrics Society consists of State
Level/Regional Level Apex Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies (‘A’ Class),
Primary Level Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies (‘B’ class) and Public
Trusts, Government and Government owned/controlled organizations engaged in
production and sale of handloom products etc.(‘C’ class). The total number of shares were
152671 in 1999-2000 as against 151767 in 1998-99. The paid up share capital of the Fabrics Society has
increased to Rs.813.10 lakhs in 1999-2000 from Rs.808.27 lakhs of the
previous year. The Fabrics
Society’ purchases during 1999-2000 amounted to Rs.4264.80 lakhs against
Rs.3325.97 lakhs in 1998-99. The
Society’s total export during 1999-2000 was Rs.2843.86 lakhs as against
Rs.2348.67 lakhs in the previous year.
During 1999-2000, the Society has been able to achieve a net profit of
Rs.20.21 lakhs as against Rs.25.08 lakhs during the previous year. The Society was also able to achieve
a sales turnover of Rs.55.36 crores during 1999-2000 as against the turnover
of Rs.54.19 crores during the previous year. Handloom Activities in
North-Eastern Region North Eastern Region has the highest concentration of Handlooms
in the Country. Out of 25.4 lakhs units engaged in handloom activities, 14.6
lakhs units (household and non-household) are in five States only, i.e.,
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura as per the handloom
census 1995-96. Over 53% of looms in the country and more than 50% of weavers
belong to North Eastern States. The share of these five States of North
Eastern Region in the domestic looms in 82%. However, only 13.4% of the
commercial looms of the Country are in these States and the contribution of
these States in total production of handloom fabrics is merely 20%. A Conference of the State Ministers of Handloom, Handicraft and
Sericulture of the North Eastern States and Sikkim was held on September
21-22, 2001 at Guwahati. During the conference, Handloom Sector in the North
East was reviewed and the initiatives taken by Govt. of India in terms of
special package for North East was also discussed. Major Schemes initiated in
the region and the concerns in the implementation of Scheme were also spelt
out. Keeping in view the potential of the region, it was decided to
upgrade the Weavers Service Centre, Guwahati as Regional Design Centre in
pursuance of the recommendations of the conference of the State Ministers
(Handlooms) of North East. It will function as Nodal Centre for design
development and dissemination of designs to the weavers in the region. The
Centre will prepare website and museum of designs of the North Eastern
Region, make it user-worthy and link it with the National Centre for Textile
Design, Apex Bodies, Corporations of State Governments and user agencies. It
will also undertake imparting of training to the weavers in and outside the cooperative field
under Decentralised Training Programme and Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan
Yojana for providing value addition to the fabric. As desired by the Ministers (handlooms) of North Eastern States,
a special provision has been made under the Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan
Yojana for the North Eastern States, Sikkim & J&K. Under the Scheme,
the financial assistance under the projects would be shared between Central
and State Governments for North Eastern States, Sikkim & J&K in the
ratio of 90:10, except marketing incentives, which would be in the ratio of
50:50 It has also been decided to extend new transport subsidy to
handloom agencies in the region to facilitate marketing of handloom products
in other parts of the Country and strengthen backward linkages in terms of
more employment opportunities. |
