Study to Evaluate Scheme for Welfare of Weavers
Evaluation study has been conducted from time to time in order to obtain the feedback about implementation of programmes at ground level. This facilitates formation of scheme for the subsequent years keeping in view the requirements and needs of the beneficiaries in the changing scenario in the domestic as well as global market. During 11th Five Year Plan, various handlooms related schemes have been merged into five schemes for improving the conditions of handloom weavers. These schemes are (i) Integrated Handloom Development Scheme, (ii) Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, (iii) Marketing and Export Promotion Scheme, (iv) Mill Gate Price Scheme and (v) Diversified Handloom Development Scheme.
In Powerloom Sector also, welfare scheme “Welfare of Power loom Workers through Group Insurance Scheme (GIS)” has been modified by merging the existing Janashri Bima Yojana (JBY) Scheme and Group Insurance Scheme based on the recommendation of the Evaluation of the Scheme.
The following measures have been taken by the Government of Indi for protection of handloom sector from powerloom and mechanized sector:
(i) Government of India promulgated the Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, dated the 29th March, 1985, with a view to protect the interests and livelihood of handloom weavers in the country. Under this Act, 11 items are exclusively reserved for the production by the handloom sector.
(ii) The Geographical indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act also provides to Geographical Indications of goods etc., and prevent unauthorized use of these by other. Government of India provides financial assistance of Rs. 1.50 lakh per product to register under the GI Act. Financial assistance to register 35 items under GI Act has been provided so far.
(iii) The “Handloom Mark” has also been launched on 27th June, 2006 which certified the identity of handloom products and also serves as a guarantee for the buyers that the products being purchased are genuinely hand woven.
This information was given by Smt. Panabakka Lakshmi, , Minister of State for Textiles , in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
DS/GK