Annual Report of Other Sectors Highlights Functions and Organisational Set-up Organised Textile Mill Industry Powerlooms Handloom Industry Raw Materials Woollen Textiles Industry Sericulture Handicrafts Textile Exports Jute Public Sector Undertakings Textile Research Association SC/ST & Women Welfare Information Technology

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:-

S. No.		1998-99	1999-2000	2000-2001 upto 31st January ‘2001
1.	No. of powerlooms inspected	1,15,758	1,76,523	93,895
2.	No. of FIRs lodged	29	29	25
3.	No. of convictions	5	11	15

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:

Year	Allocation	Central Assistance (Rs.in Lakhs ) Released as on 31.1.2001
1998 - 1999	60.00	59.54
1999 - 2000	70.00	70.00
2000 - 2001	70.00	70.00 upto Nov., 2000

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:

Year	Amount (Rs. in lakhs)
1995-96	100.00
1996-97	117.24
1997-98	300.00
1998-99	368.21
1999-2000	414.50
2000-2001 (as on 28.2.2001)	390.13

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

Statement showing statewise & yearwise funds released under Handloom Export Development Scheme to various organisations since inception of the scheme till 7th march 2001

Sl. No.	State	1996- 97	1997-98	1998- 99	1999-2000	2000- 2001	Total
1.	Andhra	-	14.00	-	14.72	-	28.72
2.	Assam	17.50	-	27.00	4.40	9.00	57.90
3.	Chhatisgarh	-	-	-	-	4.25	4.25
3.	Delhi	-	-	8.75	8.25	-	17.00
4.	Gujarat	-	12.50	-	-	-	12.50
5.	Haryana	14.00	-	-	-	7.50	21.50
6.	H. Pradesh	-	5.00	25.00	56.25	36.50	122.75
7.	J&K	2.54	8.75	-	2.64	-	13.93
8.	Kerala	6.50	11.00	-	-	8.90	26.40
9.	M. Pradesh	700	27.75	-	7.50	-	42.25
10.	Mizoram	-	-	-	7.48	-	7.48
11.	Nagaland	-	-	-	-	12.25	12.25
12.	Orissa	-	-	-	7.50	-	7.50
13.	Punjab	-	-	-	13.25	-	13.25
14.	Tamilnadu	-	13.50	21.25	13.13	5.25	53.13
15.	Tripura	17.50	-	5.00	-	-	22.50
16.	U.P.	10.02	58.78	9.00	37.75	14.25	129.80
17.	West Bengal	-	33.50	8.35	36.00	12.25	90.10
18.	Others	174.94	284.14	230.65	191.13	91.26	972.13

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:-

Name of the Component	From (per unit)	To
Rural Workshed	4,000	7,000
Rural Workshed-cum-Houses	14,000	18,000
Urban Workshed	4,000	10,000
Urban Workshed-cum-Houses	14,000	20,000

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.