FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HANDLOOM WEAVERS

The Ministry of Textiles administers the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and the Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) to develop the handloom sector and welfare of workers nationwide, including Tamil Nadu. Under these schemes, financial assistance is extended for raw materials, upgraded looms, solar lighting, worksheds, skilling, product diversification, design innovation, infrastructure, branding (India Handloom Brand, Handloom Mark, GI tag), e‑commerce, marketing, concessional loans under the weavers’ MUDRA scheme and social security. A small‑cluster component of NHDP released Rs 78.31 lakh in 2023‑24/24‑25 for 343 weavers in Tirunelveli. Across 2023‑27, NHDP and RMSS allocated Rs 190‑205 crore and Rs 160‑200 crore respectively. In Tamil Nadu, 20 clusters received Rs 21.73 crore for 3,356 weavers, 5,466 weavers got improved looms, 1,999 received skill training, 14 marketing events were held, 12 producer companies formed, 13,790 loans under MUDRA, 135,000 beneficiaries enrolled in PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, and 334.13 lakh kg yarn supplied under transport and price subsidies.