Government’s Efforts for the Development of Handlooms and Weavers

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : The state government is working sensitively for the development and preservation of traditional industries and arts. Special priority has been given to the textile sector and to the growth of all handloom units and weavers engaged in it. Through the Textile Department, various central government schemes are being effectively implemented, providing financial assistance and organizing fabric competitions. The Commissionerate of Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles at Nagpur has played a leading role in this initiative.

The Commissionerate has been implementing central-sponsored schemes to promote the handloom sector. Among them, the Comprehensive Handloom Development Scheme is most prominent, which integrates multiple sub-schemes. As part of this initiative, block-level handloom clusters were sanctioned on March 30, 2017, at five locations—Paithan, Yeola, Mohadi, Pachgaon, and Solapur. Through these clusters, 540 beneficiaries have been trained, 84 beneficiaries have received lighting units, and 59 have been provided work sheds.

Under the Small Cluster Development Scheme, five clusters have been sanctioned in the state, four of them in Vidarbha. In Nagpur district, clusters worth ₹1.08 crore at Tandapeth (covering 120 beneficiaries) and ₹1.24 crore at Dhapewada (covering 93 beneficiaries) have been approved. In Amravati’s Achalpur, a cluster worth ₹1.25 crore benefits 132 weavers, while in Akola’s Balapur, a ₹1.16 crore cluster benefits 108 weavers. In Nashik’s Nagde, a cluster worth ₹75.21 lakh supports 183 beneficiaries.

Census and Weavers’ Statistics

According to the Fourth Handloom Census of 2018-19, Maharashtra recorded 3,509 weavers and 3,354 handlooms across its four regional offices. Of these, Nagpur has 317 looms and 401 weavers; Solapur has 473 looms and 548 weavers; Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar has 262 looms and 430 weavers; and Mumbai has the highest with 2,302 looms and 2,130 weavers.

State-Sponsored Programs

Through schemes run by the Nagpur Commissionerate of Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles, the state government supports the development of weavers. Initiatives include the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy (2023–28), additional subsidy schemes, life insurance (PMJJBY), fabric competitions, and promotional programs.

Fabric competitions are organized at the divisional level (Nagpur, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Mumbai) to encourage weavers and showcase their designs. Winners from these divisions compete at the state level, where awards and certificates are given. In 2023–24, winners received prizes worth ₹4.5 lakh.

Support for Weavers and Sericulture

The state has announced the Integrated and Sustainable Textile Policy 2023–28 for the growth of weaving and sericulture. Under the central scheme Urban Haat, markets will be established at key locations to promote handlooms and handicrafts. Maharashtra Handloom Corporation, Nagpur, has received state approval (July 11, 2025) to set up an Urban Haat, with the proposal sent to the Centre.

Weavers are also supported with free electricity subsidy up to 200 units, and raw material supply schemes with subsidies on cotton hank yarn, silk, wool, linen, and blended natural fibers. In 2024–25 alone, 1,037 beneficiaries received subsidies worth ₹96.37 lakh.

Additionally, Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Allowance provides ₹10,000 to male and ₹15,000 to female certified traditional weavers. In 2024–25, 185 beneficiaries received ₹2.19 crore under this scheme. Awards are also given on National Handloom Day for the best designs in Paithani sarees, Himroo shawls, Karvat Kati, Ghongadi, and Khan fabrics.

The Commissionerate continues to faithfully implement state and central schemes for the growth of handlooms and weavers. These efforts mark a significant step toward their sustainable progress and cultural preservation.