National Handloom Development Programme Implementation Update
The Ministry of Textiles provided comprehensive details on the implementation of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) over the last three years. The programme offers need-based financial support for various interventions including upgraded looms & accessories, construction of worksheds, lighting units, and product & design development.
Infrastructure Development
Across India, 48,891 upgraded looms & accessories were provided, along with 4,216 individual worksheds constructed and 3,749 lighting units installed. State-wise distribution shows Manipur received the highest number of upgraded looms & accessories (25,002), followed by Tamil Nadu (5,466) and Andhra Pradesh (4,184). For workshed construction, Andhra Pradesh led with 709 units, followed by Assam (694) and Kerala (464). Kerala received the most lighting units (697), followed by Arunachal Pradesh (526) and Manipur (450). Several states including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and West Bengal reported zero installations in certain categories.
Institutional Development and Financial Support
The government has promoted the formation of 237 Handloom Producer Companies (HPCs) as member-owned enterprises during 2020-21 to 2025-26. Under the Concessional Credit/Weaver MUDRA Scheme component of NHDP, margin money assistance is provided at 20% of loan amount subject to maximum of ₹25,000 for individual weavers and ₹20.00 lakh (₹2.00 lakh per 100 weavers) for handloom organizations. Only handloom organizations are eligible for loans at concessional interest rate of 6% for three years with interest subvention capped at 7% by the Government of India. Credit guarantee fee on loans to handloom organizations is also provided for three years.
Digital Platforms and Disbursement
A centralized online claim disbursement system called "Handloom Weaver Mudra Portal" has been developed in association with Punjab National Bank for timely disbursal of financial assistance. Margin money is transferred directly to loan accounts of beneficiaries while interest subsidy is transferred directly to concerned banks. For availing loans, eligible weavers must approach participating banks with completed applications and necessary documents, with banks responsible for verifying eligibility.
Marketing Initiatives
Approximately 1.50 lakh weavers/handloom entities have been onboarded on Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for marketing handloom products to government departments. Additionally, 5,413 weavers were onboarded onto the India handmade e-commerce platform during 2023-24 to 2026-27 (up to 30.06.2026), which is dedicated to authentic handloom products including GI-tagged items, enabling direct sales to consumers.
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.