Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

16-March-2012 14:13 IST

Financial Package of Rs. 3884 Crore for Waiver of Handloom Loans

Two Mega Handloom Clusters to be Set up in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand

Rs.500 Crore Geo-Textile Pilot Scheme and Weavers’ Service Centre for North-East

While presenting the Union Budget 2012-13 here today in LokSabha, ShriPranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister announced a financial package of Rs. 3884 crore for waiver of loans of handloom waiver and their co-operative societies. The Finance Minister has also announced setting-up of two mega handloom clusters covering Prakasam and Guntur districts in Andhra Pradesh, and Godda and neighbouring districts in Jharkhand. A powerloom mega cluster is proposed to be set-up in Ichalkaranji in Maharashtra with a Budget allocation of Rs. 70 crore in order to address the need of the local artisans and weavers.

The Finance Minister, Shri Mukherjee announced that a Rs. 500 crore pilot scheme for promotion and application of Geo-textiles will be set up in the North-Eastern region. In addition, three Weavers’ Service Centers are proposed to be set up in Mizoram, Nagaland and Jharkhand. These centers provide technical support to poor handloom weavers, he stated.

DSM/MV/LMP/52

Handloom loan waiver announced with complementary mega cluster development, powerloom cluster, geo-textile pilot and weavers' support. The government announced a combined relief and development package for the handloom and textile sector comprising a financial allocation for waiver of handloom loans and cooperative liabilities, establishment of two major handloom clusters in specified districts of Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, a powerloom mega cluster in Ichalkaranji, and a geo-textile pilot scheme in the North-East; additionally, new Weavers' Service Centres will be set up in Mizoram, Nagaland and Jharkhand to provide technical assistance to vulnerable weavers.