The Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Initiative (MGGSI) is an umbrella framework which proposes to build rural self-reliance in khadi, handloom and handicrafts. It strengthens rural enterprises by streamlining training and skilling support towards improvement in quality of process and production for achieving global market linkage and branding.

This initiative shall benefit weavers, village industries, and rural youth by fostering employment-oriented growth through the development of rural enterprises into scalable, export-oriented units. It aims to create vital backward and forward linkages across the value chains of khadi, handloom, and handicrafts—including local sourcing—that directly support local weavers, artisans, which covers the One District One Product (ODOP) Initiative. Furthermore, it aims to generate aspirational livelihoods for rural youth by positioning the handmade sector as a viable, long-term career option.

(i) The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles implements two schemes namely National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) for overall development and promotion of handicrafts sector across the country. Under these schemes, need based financial assistance is provided for end-to-end support to the artisans through marketing events, skill development, cluster development, formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructural and technology support, research and development support, digitization, branding and marketing of handicraft products in domestic & international markets etc. which benefit the traditional crafts and increase livelihood opportunities throughout the country including the state of Telangana. Under NHDP Scheme 38 such programmes have been conducted sanctioning Rs.4.95 crores and benefitting 1,242 artisans during FY 2025 -26 (till Feb 2026) in Telangana state and a CHCDS project was also sanctioned with total project cost of Rs.5.76 crore covering 4,000 (approx.) artisans since FY 2022.-23.

(ii) The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) implements the National Handloom Development Programme, under which schematic support has been provided to handloom weavers in Telangana, including districts such as Medak, Warangal and Nalgonda.

Under the Samarth Scheme, during the period from 2020–21 to 2025–26 (till date), a total of 2,066 handloom workers have been trained in Telangana State, out of which 72 in Medak District, 176 in Warangal District and 96 in Nalgonda District have been trained.

Under the Cluster Development Programme, financial assistance amounting to Rs. 1,223.97 lakh has been provided for 26 clusters covering 4,971 beneficiaries in Telangana during the period from FY 2021–22 to 2025–26 for interventions such as upgraded looms and accessories, worksheds, solar lighting units and product and design development.

Under the Handloom Marketing Assistance component, marketing platforms are provided to handloom agencies and weavers through participation in exhibitions, craft melas and other marketing events across the country including Telangana. During 2022-23 to 2025-26 (till Feb. 2026) 15 expos have been sanctioned for Telangana with a total fund sanction of Rs.2.56 crores, including 01 expo each organised at Warangal & Nalgonda during FY 2024-25. In addition, an e-commerce portal (https://www.indiahandmade.com/) has already been launched to support the handloom sector for online marketing of handloom products.

In order to build and create design oriented excellence in the Handloom Sector, 16 Design Resource Centres (DRCs) have been setup across the country including 01 DRC at Hyderabad, Telangana

Further, to promote quality and authenticity of handloom products, certification initiatives such as India Handloom Brand and Handloom Mark have been implemented. As on date, 228 India Handloom Brand registrations and 1,337 Handloom Mark registrations have been completed in Telangana.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER FOR TEXTILES SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

****

MAM/VN

(Rajya Sabha US Q3988)

(Release ID: 2245981) Visitor Counter : 320