The performance of the Indian Textile Sector has improved considerably during last two decades The production of Spun-yarn, Man-made fibre and filament yarn increased from 2443 Mn Kg. in 1991-92 to 7069 Mn Kg. in 2011-12, whereas total cloth production increased from 22978 Mn Sq mtr to 60453 Mn Sq mtr in the same period. Similarly, total export of textile products increase from 12041 crore in 1991-92 to 165515 crore in 2011-12. The Employment in textile industry increased from 94,30,000 in 1991-92 to 1,10,20,000 in 2011-12.
In the Handloom sector, the total number of handloom weavers and allied workers reduced from 65.51 lakh (as per handloom census 1995-96) to 43.32 lakh handloom workers (as per handloom census 2009-10), resulting in reduction of cloth production from 7585 million sq. meters in year 2001-02 to 6900 million sq. meters during 2011-12. The export of handloom products however has increased from Rs. 692.22 crore in 1990-91 to Rs. 2653.95 crore during 2011-12.
The decline in Handloom sector is due to stiff competition from powerloom and mill sector, availability of cheaper imported fabrics, change in consumer preferences and alternative less labour intensive employment opportunities.
Government is implementing various schemes / measures to improve the performance of textile industry as under:-
(i)Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS)
(ii)Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP)
(iii)Integrated Skill Development Scheme
(iv)Integrated Scheme for Powerloom Sector Development
For the overall development of the handloom sector, the Government of India has taken various policy initiatives and interventions like cluster approach, technological up-gradation, aggressive marketing initiatives availability of subsidized yarn and credit.
The following schemes are being implemented for the handloom sector: -
1. Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme.
2. Marketing & Export Promotion Scheme.
3. Diversified Handlooms Development Scheme.
4. Mill Gate Price Scheme.
5. Revival, Reform and Restructuring Package for Handloom Sector.
