Department of Handlooms - கைத்தறி துறை

Having understood the importance of weaving, the Government with the twin objective of protecting our State’s ancient weaving heritage and culture and at the same time to provide livelihood for weavers in all cluster areas in the State have been taking various initiatives to address the challenges in this sector covering extension of support on infrastructure requirements, schemes for production and marketing sector, welfare measures to weavers besides addressing statutory enforcement works like implementation of Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985 and the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 for protection of Handloom sector.

The weaver's cooperatives are by and large confined to handloom weaving. Presently there are 1,114 Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Societies in the State registered under Tamil Nadu Co-operative Societies Act, 1983 and Rules 1988 with 2.59 lakh members as weavers.

The Handloom Weaver’s Co-operative Societies mostly exist in rural and semi-urban areas. Tamil Nadu handloom weavers work on an ordinary pit loom, pit looms with dobby and jacquard, frame loom and frame looms with dobby and jacquard. Various measures have been taken by both Central and State Governments for the upliftment and sustainability of this sector through schemes for the handloom weavers.

As per the 4th All India Handloom Census 2019-2020, the Tamil Nadu has a strong presence in Handloom sector next to Assam and West Bengal in terms of number of handlooms. There are 1.91 lakh handlooms with 2.44 lakh handloom weavers and allied workers employed in the State against the All India position of about 27.01 lakh handlooms with 35.22 lakh weavers and affiliated workers. The share of handloom industry of our State is 8% and 7%in terms of number of handlooms and workers respectively and out of which 1.18 lakh weavers are in co-operative fold in the State with female weavers covering about 60% in total workforce.

Cluster Development Programme

The Government of India is implementing National Handlooms Development Programme (NHDP) to facilitate the sustainable development of handloom weavers located in identified handloom clusters into a cohesive, self managing and competitive socio-economic unit. The maximum amount of financial assistance provided by the Government of India to a cluster is up to Rs. 2.00 crore for 4 components. 58 Block Level Clusters were supported upto 2021-22 at a project cost of Rs.8863.59 lakh and 39,315 handloom weavers were benefited under this scheme.

During the year 2022-23 and 2023-24, the Government of India have sanctioned 18 block level handloom cluster at a project cost of Rs.21.60 crore and released the 1st instalment of Rs.7.34 crores for the benefit of 4,571 weavers.

The powerloom industry of India is among the biggest contributors to the country’s textile industry and makes up the majority of the textile production. The textile industry being one of the largest contributors to India’s economy makes the powerloom sector important for the country. About 58.4% of the total cloth production in India is through powerlooms. The readymade garments and home textile sector of the country are heavily dependent on the powerloom industry.

Powerloom worker in Powerloom Shed

India is the sixth-largest exporter of textiles and apparel in the world. The powerloom industry of India produces fabrics ranging from grey dyed fabrics, cotton fabrics, printed fabrics and a mix of cotton, synthetic and other fibres. India has around 28lakh powerlooms distributed throughout the country.

In our country, powerlooms are a predominant segment in the entire textile value chain. According to the annual report, 2018-2019 of Ministry of Textiles, there are 27.77 lakh powerlooms in the decentralized sector, out of which 1.50 lakh (5.40%) are shuttleless looms. The powerloom sector contributes 60% of the total cloth production and provides employment to nearly 44.18 lakh persons. More than 60% of fabric meant for export is also sourced from powerloom sector.

Powerloom Clusters in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu has a strong presence in Powerloom sector next to Maharashtrain terms of number of powerlooms. There are 5.68 lakh powerlooms with 10.18 lakh workers employed in the State against the all India position of about 27.77 lakh powerlooms with 44.18 lakh workersemployed. The share of Powerloom industry of our State is 20% and 23% in terms of number of powerlooms and workers respectively.

Cluster Development Programme

About Us

Quick Links

Quick Links

Handlooms Instiutions