The Government of India, Ministry of Textiles introduced the technology up-gradation scheme under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) in 2015-16. This scheme, with some modifications, was named as “Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata (HSS) Yojana” in December 2016, for providing upgraded looms/accessories to handloom weavers to improve quality of fabric and enhance productivity. Under Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata Yojana, the Government of India bears 90% of the cost of looms/accessories. The scheme is designed for all the weavers, including SC/ST/OBC and women. The total financial assistance provided by the Government under the HSS Yojana in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra is as follows:
S. No. | State | Funds released (till Dec. 2020) (Rs. in lakh) |
1 | Tamil Nadu | 1038.41 |
2 | Karnataka | 114.22 |
3 | Maharashtra | 49.47 |
The performance of interventions under Block Level Clusters including Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata Yojana (HSS) has been evaluated by independent third-party agencies and the studies show that these interventions have led to increase in earnings and the number of working days in a year of weavers.