Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday held discussions with weavers and officials in West Bengal, focusing on strengthening the handloom sector through policy support, technology integration, and improved market access. This visit comes on the heels of the Union Budget 2026, where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a comprehensive package to revitalise the sector, including the new ‘Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme’ aimed at modernising traditional clusters with capital support for machinery and technology upgradation.Beginning his visit at Shantipur in Nadia district, the minister interacted with weavers and handloom workers and said the sector would be protected from unfair competition by power looms. The government aims to reinforce this protection through the Budget’s newly announced ‘National Handloom and Handicraft Program’, which will integrate and strengthen existing schemes to provide targeted support to weavers and artisans, ensuring they remain competitive against mass production.He also announced that school uniforms would be sourced exclusively from handwoven fabric. This move complements the budget’s ‘National Fiber Scheme’, which focuses on achieving self-reliance in natural fibers including silk, wool, and cotton, alongside the ‘Tex-Eco Initiative’ to promote globally competitive and sustainable textiles.Also ReadIndian MSMEs employ 32.82 Cr people, contribute 31% to GDP: Economic SurveySingh highlighted… Read MoreYourStory RSS Feed
