Patna : The Bihar government has rolled out a series of schemes aimed at strengthening the state’s handloom and powerloom sector, with a focus on reducing production costs and improving the livelihoods of weavers. The financial package, part of the 2024–25 budget, includes electricity subsidies, working capital assistance, scholarships, and marketing support.
A total of Rs795 lakh has been allocated through the Bihar State (Holding) Company Limited to subsidise electricity for powerloom weavers, helping them lower their operational expenses.
The state has also accelerated its UID engraving drive, with 23,007 of Bihar’s 29,053 powerlooms now registered under the scheme. The unique identification initiative is designed to provide industrial recognition and streamline access to government benefits for weavers.
In a further boost, Rs425 lakh in working capital support has been distributed to 2,833 weavers — approximately Rs15,000 each — to help them purchase raw materials and manage production costs.
The Weaver Subsidy Scheme has also seen continued investment. The state government has paid Rs52.01 lakh on behalf of weavers to suppliers operating within block-level clusters (BLCs) and cluster development programmes (CDPs), covering 10% of the cost.
Support extends to education as well. The government has contributed Rs1.33 lakh towards scholarships for 15 students enrolled at the Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT) in Phulia, West Bengal, covering half their educational expenses.
Marketing efforts have also received a boost. The Ministry of Textiles has sanctioned Rs58.5 lakh for two handloom exhibitions held in Patna and Gaya earlier this year. Organised by the Directorate of Handloom and Sericulture, the events aimed to promote local crafts and increase market access for artisans.
