The effectiveness of both the schemes i.e. Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme (IHDS) and Marketing & Export Promotion Scheme (M&EPS) has been evaluated by independent agencies, which revealed positive impact on the development of handloom sector. The evaluation report in respect of IHDS has observed increased productivity, earnings and number of working days in a year etc.
Similarly, evaluation report of M&EPS has revealed increased publicity of handloom products, supported sales of handloom products in domestic and international markets and provided platform to handloom weavers eliminating middlemen etc. Both the reports have recommended continuation of these schemes, with or without modifications in the XII Plan. Suggestions for modifications in the schemes, wherever applicable and subject to availability of funds have been incorporated for their implementation in XII Plan.
The main objectives of IHDS are to focus on formation of handloom weavers’ groups in selected handloom clusters, to up-grade skills of weavers to produce diversified products with improved quality, to provide suitable workplace to improve productivity, to provide any other need based inputs specific to each cluster/group for becoming self- sustainable etc.
Under the IHDS, an amount of Rs.213.54 crore has been released in XI Plan for the development of handloom clusters.
25 Weavers’ Service Centres (WSCs), including one at Indore in Madhya Pradesh has been set up till XI Plan. In the Budget 2012-13, Hon’ble Finance Minister has announced for setting up of 3 new Weavers’ Service Centres, one each in Mizoram, Nagaland and Jharkhand.
During XI Plan, 610 clusters have been sanctioned in the country, covering about 2.84 lakh weavers.
