As per 4^th All India Handloom Census 2019-20 report, there are 12,83,881 handloom workers in Assam. The handloom workers enumerated in the 4^th All India Handloom Census have been provided either pehchan card or enabled downloading e-pehchan card. An online portal was launched on 28^th January 2025, for new registration (left out from the 4^th All India Handloom Census and new weavers and allied workers), editing the details of the existing weavers and downloading of e-pehchan cards. Hence, addition/deletion, updation etc. is dynamic and continuous.

Sivasagar Mega Handloom Cluster had been taken up for financial assistance in the State of Assam under erstwhile Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) and amount of Rs. 15.63 crore has been released from 2014-15 to 2021-22. However, Sualkuchi is not covered under CHCDS. Mega Handloom Cluster at Sualkuchi, Assam has been taken up during FY  2024-25(till 21.03.2025) under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and financial assistance of Rs. 4.80 crore has been provided.

Further, financial support of Rs. 64.85 crore has been provided for 83 clusters under NHDP scheme in Assam State from FY 2015-16 to 2024-25(till 21.03.2025).

Number of migrant handloom weavers is not maintained. The nation-wide portability of ration cards through One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) feature has been enabled for all National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA)/Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beneficiaries in all 36 States/UTs (including Assam). Under this feature, NFSA/PMGKAY beneficiaries may lift their entitled foodgrain from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card. There is no requirement of separate registration for ONORC under NFSA/PMGKAY. 

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4055)

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