31.45 lakhs handloom cottage units in India

     New Delhi, July 25, 2025: About 31.45 lakh handloom cottage units are functioning in the country, Union Minister of Textile Giriraj Singh said in Rajya Sabha today.

     According to 4th 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.

     Accordingly, it is considered that 31.45 lakhs handloom cottage units are functioning in the country,     in a written reply Singh said.

     Handloom sector is unorganized, in which the Government does not provide direct employment to the weavers/workers. Handloom weavers/workers involve in traditional skilled activities, which provide self-employment to them, the Minister said.

     However, Ministry of Textiles is implementing the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and also the Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) to promote handlooms and for welfare of handloom weavers across the country, he said.

     Under these schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms and accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, skilling, product and design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme, social security, payment to awardee weavers in indigent circumstances among others.  

     Under the schemes of NHDP and RMSS, funds of Rs. 1,516 crores were allocated and Rs. 1,480.71 crores were disbursed during the last five years i.e. 2020-21 to 2024-25.

     Before the schemes are continued/ new schemes are formulated, the impact study of the existing schemes are evaluated. NHDP and RMSS were formulated for implementation during 2021-22 to 2025-26 after third party impact evaluation of the previous schemes in existence, Minister Singh said.