In a targeted move to revive and strengthen India’s traditional weaving sector, the Ministry of Textiles has launched a new support initiative for handloom sole proprietors, recognizing their vital role in preserving indigenous craft and sustaining rural livelihoods. This scheme is part of the government’s broader effort to promote self-reliant artisans and encourage the formalization of individual weavers operating as sole proprietors. The initiative includes financial assistance, skill enhancement programs, and digital market linkages tailored to address the specific challenges faced by handloom entrepreneurs.

Under the newly introduced provisions, eligible sole proprietors engaged in handloom weaving can now access direct financial support in the form of working capital grants, raw material subsidies, and equipment upgrades. These benefits will be delivered through Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, reducing middleman dependency and ensuring transparency in fund disbursal. The scheme also emphasizes technology adoption, encouraging handloom artisans to adopt e-commerce platforms, digital payment systems, and virtual exhibitions to widen their market reach beyond traditional local bazaars.

In addition to financial and technological backing, the Ministry will offer training programs on design innovation, branding, and quality control, conducted in partnership with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and state handloom development corporations. Dedicated facilitation centers will assist sole proprietors in registering their businesses under the Udyam platform and gaining access to MSME benefits. Officials noted that by empowering individual weavers with structured support, the government aims to uplift the handloom sector, preserve cultural heritage, and enable artisans to compete more effectively in national and global markets. The initiative has been welcomed by weaver cooperatives and handloom associations, who view it as a much-needed intervention for the sustainability of single-owner handloom enterprises.