Bihar Strengthens Support for Weavers with Subsidies, Capital Aid, and Market Access in FY 2024-25

The Bihar government has approved several important schemes to improve the economic condition of weavers and reduce their production cost in the financial year 2024-25. These include schemes like electricity subsidy, working capital assistance, scholarship, cluster development and handloom marketing assistance.

Relief to weavers from electricity subsidy

A grant of Rs 795 lakh has been made available to powerloom weavers through Bihar State (Holding) Company Limited, Patna to reduce their operating costs. This grant will be helpful in ensuring cheap electricity to the weavers.

Acceleration in UID engraving scheme

Out of 29 thousand 53 powerlooms in the state, 23,007 powerlooms have been included in the UID engraving scheme, which will give direct benefits of industrial identity and government benefits to the weavers.

Weavers benefit from working capital assistance

The Bihar government has provided working capital assistance of Rs 425 lakh to 2,833 weavers at the rate of Rs 15 thousand per weaver. This will provide financial assistance to weavers in purchasing raw material.

Weavers Subsidy Scheme

The state government contributes 10% to suppliers on behalf of weavers in block-level clusters (BLCs) and CDPs. In the financial year 2024-25, the government has paid Rs 52.01 lakh to suppliers under this scheme.

Scholarship Scheme

The state government is bearing 50% of the scholarship cost of students studying at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Phulia, West Bengal. This year the government has paid Rs 1.33 lakh for the enrollment of 15 students.

Handloom Marketing Assistance Scheme

The Ministry of Textiles has sanctioned Rs 58.504 lakh for organizing two handloom exhibitions in Patna and Gaya in the financial year 2024-25. These exhibitions were organized by the Directorate of Handloom and Sericulture in February and March.