Maharashtra

• 17 Mar 2025

Solapur Handloom Industry

Why in News? 

Weavers have been urging the Maharashtra government to recognize their ‘Solapuri silk saree’ as a traditional textile under the 2023 textile policy. 

 Key Points 

• Inclusion of Solapuri Silk Saree: 
  • This inclusion would grant access to old-age pension schemes, employment as master trainers in government handloom institutes, and an annual festival allowance of Rs 15,000 for female weavers and Rs 10,000 for male weavers. 
  • They argue that other textiles, like Himru, are included despite limited production in the state, while their sarees remain unrecognized. 
• Challenges in Government Schemes and Weaver ID Cards: 
  • Weaver’s Pehchan Card is essential to avail benefits under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), including MUDRA loans and workshed support. 
  • Many applicants face delays in receiving their cards, with some waiting for years before gaining access to central government benefits. 
  • Weavers struggle to secure loans under the Weavers Mudra Scheme, as banks often reject applications due to high default rates. 
  • The Pehchan Card also offers financial aid for weavers’ children, covering Rs 2 lakh annually for textile education and a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000. 
• Financial Struggles and Seasonal Market Demand: 
  • Each handloom produces one to two sarees per month, which sell for Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 during festive seasons but see minimal demand in off-seasons. 
  • The community relies on markets in Pune, but buyers frequently reject or undervalue their products, reducing profitability. 
• Collective Workshed and Yarn Bank: 
  • They demand a collective workshed, where multiple handlooms can operate in a shared facility, improving efficiency and working conditions. 
  • A yarn bank with a 15% subsidy under the Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS) is also sought, as middlemen currently exploit subsidies, leaving weavers without direct benefits. 
• Lack of Effective Government Marketing Support: 
  • The government proposed Urban Haat, a dedicated marketplace for handloom products, but its feasibility is questioned due to low financial aid and high infrastructure costs. 
  • Weavers seek better marketing opportunities and government support to expand their reach and ensure fair pricing for their sarees. 
• Future Concerns: 
  • Many young generations are reluctant to enter weaving, citing unstable income and lack of social security. 
  • Weavers express concerns over financial insecurity, with no government assistance during medical emergencies or crises. 
  • They urge policy improvements to protect traditional handloom artisans and sustain their craft for future generations. 

 National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) 

• Objective:  
  • NHDP aims to promote the sustainable development of handloom weavers, both within and outside identified handloom clusters, by transforming them into self-managed and competitive socio-economic units. 
• Implementation Period: 
  • The scheme is designed for the 2021-22 to 2025-26 financial years. 
• Approach: 
  • It follows a need-based strategy for the integrated and holistic development of handlooms and the welfare of handloom weavers. 
• Target Beneficiaries:  
  • The scheme benefits individual weavers, cooperatives, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), both within and outside the cooperative system. 
• Key Support Areas: 
  • Raw material assistance for production sustainability. 
  • Design inputs to enhance product quality and market appeal. 
  • Technology upgradation for improved efficiency and competitiveness. 
  • Marketing support through exhibitions and trade events. 
  • Permanent infrastructure creation, including Urban Haats and marketing complexes, to provide direct market access to weavers. 

 PM MUDRA Yojana 

• The aim of PMMY is to facilitate easy collateral-free micro credit to non-corporate, non-farm small and micro entrepreneurs for income generating activities.   
• MUDRA (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) was launched in 2015, to provide refinance support to financial institutions like banks, micro-finance institutions (MFIs), and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs).  
• It provides refinance, credit guarantee, and development support to financial institutions, helping them extend financial services to micro-enterprises in manufacturing, trading, and services.