Govt Boosts Handloom & Handicrafts Sector in Rural India
Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Textiles is actively promoting handloom and handicraft development across India, especially in rural areas. Key schemes include the National Handloom Development Programme, Raw Material Supply Scheme, and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme. These provide support for raw materials, looms, design innovation, marketing, and concessional loans.
Over the past five years, ₹2,425.64 crore has been released under these schemes. Preference is given to SC/ST/OBC, women, transgender, and differently-abled weavers and artisans, with 100% subsidy for work sheds for eligible BPL groups.
Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 6.44 lakh weavers and 5.10 lakh artisans benefitted. Tamil Nadu (1.25 lakh weavers) and Uttar Pradesh (1.04 lakh artisans) saw the highest outreach. Goa recorded 27 weavers and 2,120 artisans. Women constitute 71% of weavers and 64% of artisans.
Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh shared this data in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on 25 July 2025.
