Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, chaired a significant meeting with the Weavers' Service Association in Bengaluru on April 9 to deliberate on sector-related challenges. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the weaving community across India.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the official handle of the Ministry of Textiles shared updates from the meeting, which also witnessed participation from premier research institutions. Experts from CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) presented innovative projects under the ongoing National Technical Textile Mission, highlighting the ministry's efforts toward encouraging R&D in the sector.

"Secretary (Textiles) chaired the meeting on 09.04.2025 with the textile institutes/organisations at Bengaluru. Discussions with Weavers' Service Association on textile issues and assured the support from the Ministry of Textiles," the Ministry posted.

According to the 4th All India Handloom Census (2019–20), there are over 35 lakh (35,22,512) handloom weavers and allied workers in the country. To address their welfare, the Government of India is actively implementing multiple schemes under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP).

Among the key provisions under NHDP:

• Monthly financial aid of ₹8,000 is extended to national awardee handloom weavers/workers aged above 60 years, who are in indigent circumstances with annual income below ₹1 lakh.

•  

• Scholarships up to ₹2 lakh per annum are provided for up to two children of handloom weavers/workers, pursuing diploma, undergraduate, or postgraduate studies in recognised textile institutions.

• Universal and affordable social security coverage is offered under government-backed insurance schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, ensuring protection against natural/accidental death and disabilities.

•  

This meeting underlined the Ministry's continued dedication to strengthening the handloom ecosystem and advancing technical innovations in textiles.