Textile is among the sectors for which Indian products have been known internationally for decades. Indian exports used to rule over the western textile markets for centuries but in the late 19th and 20th centuries, the prowess diminished with the rise of synthetic fibres. Moreover, the handlooms and handicrafts sector has also been witnessing a dramatic downfall for many years. However, the Government’s crackdown on Chinese imports proved to be a boon for Indian small potters, craftsmen, and handicraftsmen. And now, the Government is all set to ensure the growth of livelihoods in the handlooms and handicrafts sector.
Weavers and artisans will be linked with e-commerce: Piyush Goyal
Piyush Goyal, Minister for Commerce & Industry, Textiles, Consumer Affairs and Food & Public Distribution while reviewing the functioning of the Ministry of Textiles, said that “There was an urgent need to link Weavers and Artisans through E-Commerce platforms and leveraging of technology.” He also added that “No stone is to be left unturned for the growth of Livelihoods in handlooms and handicrafts sector.”
Goyal, further, suggested that “The weavers and artisans should be assisted in marketing their produce through all platforms of e.g. Delhi Haat, Urban Haats and Handloom Haat.”
He also advised all officials to communicate well with State Government functionaries to better the outcome and result of the Central Government schemes. The Minister also directed for the completion of all the projects related to the progress of Craft Villages in the next 6 months.
Goyal also advised the officials to implement SAMARTH- the skill development initiatives of the Ministry in a proper manner and focus on sustainability in the textiles sector. He also monitored the work of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Textiles.
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Piyush Goyal, the newly crowned textile minister has the responsibility to turn around the sector just the way he did with the coal, power, and renewable energy as well as the Railways sector. Goyal wants to revive Indian prowess in the sector, and he has already set an ambitious target of 100 billion dollars in exports.
Earlier in October 2021, the textile export of the country was at 33 billion dollars and the target for FY 22 is 44 billion dollars. In the Union Budget 2021-22, FM Sitharaman had granted Rs 3,614.64 crore, about 10 per cent higher than the revised Budget amount of Rs 3,300 crore in 2020-21 to the sector.
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The Budget also emphasised infrastructure development and research and capacity building in the sector as the grant for these segments had been increased by about 43.7 per cent and 77.5 per cent, respectively, compared to last year.
The Narendra Modi government, in September, also extended the ambit of the revolutionary Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and included the Textiles sector in it.
Well, Piyush goyal, for the kind of Minister he is, will ensure the handloom and handicrafts sector and those surviving through handloom businesses will now earn huge profits.