Article:
India’s textile industry is one of the oldest in the country and is steeped in tradition. A vast and varied sector, it boasts a rich tapestry of skills, heritage and culture. The industry provides employment to around 45 million people, making it second only to the agriculture sector. Over the years, several schemes have been implemented to stimulate growth and development in the sector.
Understanding the SAMARTH Scheme
Implemented by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building In Textile Sector) is a flagship skill development scheme geared towards providing training to handicraft artisans. This scheme, approved as part of the Integrated Skill Development Scheme for the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP), aims to stimulate job creation in the organized textile and related sectors, promote skilling and skill upgradation in traditional areas, and provide livelihoods across all sections of society.
As of recent updates, under the SAMARTH Scheme of Textile Ministry, over 13,235 artisans have been trained in the last three years.
The Condition of the Textile Sector in India
The Indian textile and garments sector, a critical component of our economy, can be divided into two segments: the organised and the unorganised. The former consists of spinning, apparel and garments manufacturing, characterized by the use of modern machinery and techniques. The unorganised sector involves featuring handloom, handicrafts, and sericulture (the production of silk) and tends to involve smaller scale operations with traditional tools and methods.
Other Significant Schemes in the Textile Sector
Multiple schemes have been introduced over time to facilitate development within the textile sector. The Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP), launched in 2005, focused on offering industry-grade infrastructure facilities for setting up textile units.
The Power-Tex India initiative was designed to cater to the unique needs of the power loom sector. Similarly, the Silk Samagra Scheme was put in place to improve the quality and productivity of domestic silk, reducing dependence on imported silk.
The Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS) is a credit-linked Capital Investment Subsidy scheme, created to catalyse capital investments for technological upgrades within the sector.
Recognising Indian Textile Traditions
National Handloom Day, observed annually on 7th August, was established to highlight the significance of the handloom weaving community in India. Moreover, the National Technical Textile Mission aims to position India as a global leader in Technical Textiles by enhancing the domestic market size from USD 40 billion to USD 50 billion by 2024.
On International Women’s Day 2022, a Special Entrepreneurship Promotion Drive for Women, aptly named “SAMARTH”, was launched by the Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative is focused on providing Skill Development and Market Development Assistance to women.
Through these schemes and initiatives, the government aims to foster growth and inclusivity within the textile sector. However, the true impact of these efforts is yet to be fully realized and appreciated.