4.1 Award for Best Exporters
In order to encourage the handlooms exports and augment the sale of handlooms products in the international market, the Government of Tamil Nadu have been distributing awards for best exporters since 1975.
A sum of Rs.1.00 lakh per annum is provided every year to distribute trophies and certificates to the “Best Exporters” under this scheme.
Three best exporters who have contributed significantly for export of handlooms goods for the year 2020-2021 have been felicitated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 23.10.2021.
A provision of Rs.1.00 lakh has been made in the Budget Estimate 2022-23.
4.2 A Scheme to Award Talented Weavers
The Government of Tamilnadu have been implementing Prize Award Scheme titled “Talented Weavers Award” to encourage weavers who produce silk and cotton sarees, dhoties and handlooms export goods with attractive designs in 20 categories every year.
Nominations for Talented Weavers Award are invited every year from the Primary Handlooms Weavers Cooperative Societies in the State. The nominations received from the societies are initially scrutinized by a Circle Level Committee and shortlisted nominations are recommended to the State Level Committee under the Chairmanship of the Commissioner of Handlooms with representatives from Central Silk Board, Weavers Service Centre, Handlooms Export Promotion Council and National Institute of Fashion Technology and other officials for further scrutiny and selection.
The screening and selection of products are done by the State Level Committee based on visual appearance, colour combination, design uniqueness, extra work involved and special features of the product.
The first prize, second prize and third prize are distributed to 60 talented handlooms weavers as detailed below:
First Prize
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Rs.10,000/-
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Second Prize
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Rs.6,000/-
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Third Prize
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Rs.4,000/-
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The expenditure for this scheme amounting to Rs.4.00 lakh is being met out from the Co-operative Research and Development Fund of Tamil Nadu
Co-operative Union.
This Scheme will be continued during the year 2022-23.
4.3 State Level Best Weavers andBest Designers Award
In order to promote the handlooms weavers who have significantly contributed for the development of Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies through the introduction of new attractive designs and producing market demanding trendy silk and cotton sarees, the Government have been implementing the scheme called “Best Weavers Award”.
Similarly, the best designers of Cotton and Silk Handlooms Weavers Co-operative Societies developing latest and marketable designs are felicitated with “Best Designer Awards”.
Nominations for Best Weavers Award are invited every year from the Primary Handlooms Weavers Cooperative Societies. The nominations received from the societies are initially scrutinized by a Circle Level Committee and shortlisted. The shortlisted nominations are recommended to the State Level Committee under the Chairmanship of the Commissioner of Handlooms with representatives from Central Silk Board, Weavers Service Centre, Handlooms Export Promotion Council and National Institute of Fashion Technology and other officials for further scrutiny and selection.
The screening and selection of products for Best Weavers Award is done by the State Level Committee based on scoring of marks for each product on five criteria at the rate of 10 marks for each criteria namely, visual appearance, colour combination, design uniqueness, extra work involved in weaving and special features of the product and highest scored products are selected for Best Weavers Award.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu has felicitated the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes for best Handlooms Weavers for Cotton and Silk categories for the year 2020-2021 on 23.10.2021 by distributing certificates and cheques to the tune of Rs.4.50 lakh.
Further, 3 designers were awarded prizes for 2020-2021. The details of Best Weaver and Best Designer Award given for the year 2020-2021 are as follows:
![](img/schemeshandloomimg27.jpg)
The Government vide G.O.Ms No.110, Handlooms, Handicraft, Textiles and Khadi Department, dated 21.10.2021 have issued orders enhancing the above prize amounts from the year 2021-22 as given below:-
![](img/schemeshandloomimg28.jpg)
This scheme will be continued during the year 2022-23. The Government have made a provision of Rs.20.40 lakh in the Budget Estimate for the financial year 2022-23.
4.4 Awarding Scholarships under Dr. MGR Handlooms Weavers Welfare Trust
With a view to encourage the wards of the weavers to pursue higher studies, Dr.MGR Handlooms Weavers Welfare Trust was formed in the year 1986. Every year scholarships are provided to five (5) male and five (5) female students, who have secured first five places in X and XII standard.
Based on the marks secured in X and XII standard, scholarships are awarded to five (5) male and five (5) female students in 40 disciplines ranging from Rs.1,000/- to Rs.7,500/- per annum till they complete their courses. A total of 400 students (200 male and 200 female) are getting scholarships under this scheme every year.
This scheme will be continued for the year 2022-23.
4.5 Scholarship to the Children of Workers in the Tamilnadu Cooperative Textile Processing Mills
In order to encourage the workers and their children of Tamilnadu Cooperative Textile Processing Mills, the scheme of payment of scholarship to children of workers, those who scored higher marks in X and XII standards was implemented in Tamilnadu Cooperative Textile Processing Mills since 2008.
The details of scholarship amount provided under this scheme are as follows:
![](img/schemeshandloomimg31.jpg)
4.6 Stipend to Students of Indian Institute of Handlooms Technology, Salem
In order to encourage the wards of handlooms weavers, priority and stipend are being given to them while selecting candidates for the 3 year diploma course in “Handlooms and Textile Technology” in the Indian Institute of Handlooms Technology, Salem by the Government of Tamil Nadu. From the financial year 2021-2022, the Government of India has enhanced the stipend as below and the enhanced stipend will be provided by the Government of
Tamil Nadu and Government of India as follows :
![](img/schemeshandloomimg32.jpg)
In addition to the stipend amount, contingency amount of Rs.1,000/- per annum for purchase of books is also provided for each student. Apart from this, Educational Tour Allowance of Rs.1,000/- per annum for 2nd year students and Project Work Allowance of Rs.500/- for the 3rd year students are also being paid. This financial assistance is provided by the Government of Tamilnadu from Co-operative Education Fund of Tamilnadu Co-operative Union.
The students studying in Indian Institute of Handlooms Technology in Gadag (Karnataka), Venkatagiri (Andhra Pradesh) and Kannur (Kerala) under Tamilnadu Government quota are also being paid stipend from Co-operative Education Fund of Tamilnadu Co-operative Union.
During the year 2021-22, 87 students have benefitted under the scheme.