Reform in handloom sector underway: Elangovan

New Delhi, Aug 23: The Government is implementing a number of schemes to enhance production, productivity and efficiency of the handloom sector and to enhance the income and socio-economic status of the weavers by upgrading their skills and providing infrastructural input and marketing support, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Textiles E V K S Elangovan said the main developmental schemes include Deen Dayal Hathkargha Progsahan Yojana, Integrated Handloom Training Project, Marketing Promotion Programme, Mill Gate Price SCheme, Workshed-cum Housing Scheme, Weavers' Welfare SCheme and Handloom Export Scheme.

Further, more new schemes of Integrated Handloom Cluster Development, Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojna and Health Insurance SCheme have been launched in 2005-06 and Handloom Mark and Technology Upgradation Fund sCheme have been launched in 2006-07, he said.

On low cotton yarn yield, the minister admitted that though in terms of area, India is ranking first in the world and in terms of cotton production is ranking third, after China and US, still the yield per hectare for cotton in the country is lower as compared to world average yield.

However, since last three years, due to various Governmental measures like Intensive Cotton Development programmes as also due to launching of Technology Mission on Cotton and release of Bt seeds for commercial cultivation, the yield per hectare in India, which was hovering at around 300 kgs per hectare has been increasing.

During the current cotton season 2005-06, the yield per hectare in the country has been estimated at 467 kg per hectare.

UNI