Govt to soon launch scheme to support powerloom weavers

The government will soon launch a scheme to protect the interest of powerloom weavers, Parliament was informed today.
"We are taking steps to address concerns of powerloom weavers. Very soon, we are going to launch a scheme to help them," Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.
Powerloom weavers are facing problems like lack of regular supply of electricity and availability of sufficient yarn, among others, he said.
Sharing the key features of the proposed scheme, the Minister said that solar energy will be promoted and subsidy support given to powerloom weavers.

The Minister announced the measure while replying to a query by Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu (Cong) on the steps being taken to protect powerloom weavers in various states including Andhra Pradesh.
Highlighting the measures taken to revamp the textile industry, the Minister said the government has launched a special package for garment and made-ups segment besides implementing various schemes for upgrading decentralised powerloom, handloom and handicraft sector.

Under the special package for garment and made-ups segment, the Minister said that rebate of state levies (RoSL) is given to exporters on the lines of existing duty drawback scheme underwhich rebate is given on central levies.

RoSL is implemented from September 2016 and Rs 1,470 crore worth of claims are pending so far. Of which, Rs 29 crore has been cleared, he said.
Under Technology Fund Scheme (TUFS), Rs 58.93 crore towards margin money subsidy is pending as the sanctioned budget for 2016-17 fiscal has been exhausted, he added.