Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:21PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has been implementing its flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), since 2015 to impart skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) and up-skilling and re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to youth across the country. Under the PMKVY scheme, since its inception in 2015 till 31.12.2024 a total of 1,60,33,081 candidates have been trained/ oriented.

Placements were tracked under Short Term Training (STT) component of PMKVY in the first three versions of the scheme which is PMKVY 1.0, PMKVY 2.0 and PMKVY 3.0 implemented from FY 2015-16 to FY 2021-22. The reported placement rate in STT certified candidates till PMKVY 3.0 was 43%.

Under PMKVY 4.0, the focus is to empower our trained candidates to choose their varied career path and they are suitably oriented for the same. To enable the opportunities for employments, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) platform has been launched to integrate skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. PMKVY 4.0 is a Central Sector Scheme. Under PMKVY 4.0, during the last three financial years including current financial year (as on 31.12.2024), Rs. 1244.52 crore has been utilized across States/UTs.

Further, several steps have been taken to ensure the successful implementation and expansion of PMKVY 4.0 across the country. These efforts aim to address skill gaps, improve employability, and support economic growth. A few of them are as under:

1. Focus on New Age Skills like Industry 4.0, Web 3.0, AR/VR, Climate Change, Circular Economy, Green Economy, etc;
2. Greater reliance on On-Job-Training (OJT) for better practical exposure to candidates;
3. Emphasis on Re-skilling, and Up-skilling under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL);
4. Flexibility in course curriculums by introducing courses in partnership with industry.
5. Cross utilization of available infrastructure with the educational institutions viz. Institutes of National Importance (INIs) / Schools / Colleges / Universities / Central and State Government Institutions, etc; 
6. Training aligned to National Priorities and Policy Announcements focusing on clusters in sectors like Semiconductor, 5G, AI, Green Hydrogen, EV, Solar Mission, Care, Tourism etc.

This information was provided by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Jayant Chaudhary in reply to an unstarred question (No: 3000) in Rajya Sabha today.

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Pawan Singh Faujdar/Divyanshu Kumar

(Release ID: 2115272) Visitor Counter : 46

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:21PM by PIB Delhi

As per 4^th All India Handloom Census 2019-20 report, there are 12,83,881 handloom workers in Assam. The handloom workers enumerated in the 4^th All India Handloom Census have been provided either pehchan card or enabled downloading e-pehchan card. An online portal was launched on 28^th January 2025, for new registration (left out from the 4^th All India Handloom Census and new weavers and allied workers), editing the details of the existing weavers and downloading of e-pehchan cards. Hence, addition/deletion, updation etc. is dynamic and continuous.

Sivasagar Mega Handloom Cluster had been taken up for financial assistance in the State of Assam under erstwhile Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) and amount of Rs. 15.63 crore has been released from 2014-15 to 2021-22. However, Sualkuchi is not covered under CHCDS. Mega Handloom Cluster at Sualkuchi, Assam has been taken up during FY  2024-25(till 21.03.2025) under National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) and financial assistance of Rs. 4.80 crore has been provided.

Further, financial support of Rs. 64.85 crore has been provided for 83 clusters under NHDP scheme in Assam State from FY 2015-16 to 2024-25(till 21.03.2025).

Number of migrant handloom weavers is not maintained. The nation-wide portability of ration cards through One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) feature has been enabled for all National Food Security Act 2013 (NFSA)/Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) beneficiaries in all 36 States/UTs (including Assam). Under this feature, NFSA/PMGKAY beneficiaries may lift their entitled foodgrain from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their existing ration card. There is no requirement of separate registration for ONORC under NFSA/PMGKAY. 

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4055)

(Release ID: 2115270) Visitor Counter : 43

Source: Government of India

Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra 2025: Aadhaar-Based eKYC introduced for faster and secure registration

Over 7.5 lakh pilgrims register for Char Dham Hemkund Sahib Yatra 2025 using Aadhaar authentication

Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) rolls out Aadhaar-Based registration for Char Dham Yatra, ensuring better crowd management

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:22PM by PIB Delhi

In a bid to streamline the registration process, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has introduced Aadhar Authentication and eKYC to register for the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra, one of the most significant pilgrimages in India.

It is aimed at reducing registration time and enhancing the overall experience for pilgrims. With Aadhaar-based online registration, authorities can monitor pilgrim movements, prepare better to avoid overcrowding at temples, and improve weather related information flow especially in high-altitude regions.

Balancing tradition with technology

The registration for the CharDham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra 2025 started on March 20, and over 750,000 pilgrims have already availed Aadhaar based online registration facility as of this morning.

UIDAI has been hand holding innovative initiatives of states to improve ease of living for people. The registration portal (https://registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) and the “Tourist Care Uttarakhand” mobile app are using this facility.

The move is expected to help curb duplicity of registration allowing more pilgrims the opportunity of carrying out the Yatra. Aadhaar-based digital verification is expected to make the registration process faster, and reduce paperwork. The offline registration at designated centers continues to be in practice too.

Aadhaar-linked registration can also help in better planning and management of accommodations, transport, food, and medical aid based on the actual number of registered pilgrims, leading to curbing wastage and shortages of resources. It can also be helpful in addressing emergency situation better as it can further improve coordination between pilgrims and authorities.

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Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith

(Release ID: 2115275) Visitor Counter : 47

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi

The details of Indian Textiles & Apparel including handicrafts export during the last ten years including the current year are as follows:

Value in USD Million

Commodity	FY 2014-2015	FY 2015-2016	FY 2016-2017	FY 2017-2018	FY 2018-2019	FY 2019-2020	FY 2020-2021	FY 2021-2022	FY 2022-2023	FY 2023-2024	APR-DEC 2024
Total T&A including Handicrafts	38,183	37,340	37,398	37,546	38,397	35,177	31,585	44,435	36,686	35,874	27,430

Source: DGCIS provisional data

The Indian textiles industry is one of the largest in the world with a large raw material base and manufacturing strength across the value chain from fibre to fabric to garments. India has the advantage of having a strong raw material base of natural fibre including cotton, silk, wool, jute as well as manmade fibre. India is into export of entire value chain of textiles to various countries.  India is facing tariff disadvantage in some of the markets such as EU, UK etc. as compared to neighbouring competing nations like Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the top apparel exporter countries. For their manufacturing need, Bangladesh imports a large portion of Yarn, Fabric & Fibre from the world including India. In this manner, the two countries are different.

The Government is implementing various schemes/initiatives to promote Indian textiles. The major schemes/initiatives include PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme to create a modern, integrated, world class textile infrastructure; Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focusing on MMF Fabric, MMF Apparel and Technical Textiles to boost large scale manufacturing and enhancing competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development; SAMARTH – Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector with the objective providing demand driven, placement oriented, skilling program; Silk Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain; National Handloom Development Program for end to end support for handloom sector. Ministry of Textiles is also implementing National Handicrafts Development Programme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme for promotion of handicrafts. Government has been engaging constantly with the stakeholders across the textile value chain to resolve various issues.

With a view to increasing investments, generating employment opportunities and boosting exports in the textile sector, the Ministry is implementing Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP) to provide support for setting up textile parks with world-class, state-of-the-art infrastructure in textile hubs across the country. The scheme was in implementation upto 31.03.2021; however, the Scheme has now been subsumed under the umbrella Scheme of Textile Cluster Development Scheme (TCDS) for completing ongoing projects only. Under SITP, 4 projects have been sanctioned in Andhra Pradesh namely Brandix India Apparel City Pvt Ltd, Vishakhapattanam, Hindupur Vyapar Apparel Park Ltd Ananthpuram, Tarkeshwara Textile Park, Nellore and Guntur Textile Park, Guntur. 

In addition, the Government has approved setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks in Greenfield/Brownfield sites with world class infrastructure including plug and play facility.   

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q3969)

(Release ID: 2115279) Visitor Counter : 15

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Textiles is implementing various schemes/initiatives to promote textile industries including handloom sector throughout the country including Jalpaiguri. The major schemes/initiatives include PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme which seeks to create a modern, integrated, world class textile infrastructure; SAMARTH – Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector with the objective providing demand driven, placement oriented, skilling program; Silk Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain; National Handloom Development Programme and Raw Material Supply Scheme for end-to-end support to traditional handloom weavers.

Under Scheme for Integrated Textile Park (SITP), two textile parks at Howrah viz. EIGMEF Apparel Park Ltd. and West Bengal Hosiery Textile Park have been sanctioned in West Bengal. Under National Handloom Development Programme, one Mega Handloom cluster at Murshidabad and 19 Small handloom clusters including 2 Small handloom clusters in North Bengal have been taken up in West Bengal.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

(Lok Sabha US Q3988)

(Release ID: 2115277) Visitor Counter : 14

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Textiles

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: QUANTITY OF TEXTILE EXPORTS

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:23PM by PIB Delhi

(Release ID: 2115276)

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:16PM by PIB Delhi

The Government of India is implementing various schemes/initiatives aimed at promoting the textile sector pan India. The major schemes/initiatives include PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks Scheme which seeks to create a modern, integrated large scale, world class industrial ecosystem, which will help in attracting investments and boosting employment; Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme focusing on Man Made Fibre & Apparel, and Technical Textiles to boost large scale manufacturing and enhancing competitiveness; National Technical Textiles Mission focusing on Research Innovation & Development, Promotion and Market Development, Skilling and Export Promotion; SAMARTH – Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector with the objective providing demand driven, placement oriented, skilling program; ATUFS to incentivize technology upgradation and modernization through capital investment subsidy for eligible investment in benchmarked textile machinery; Silk Samagra-2 for comprehensive development of sericulture value chain.

Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) is implementing National Handicrafts Development Programme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme on pan India basis. Under these schemes, support to artisans is provided through marketing support, skill development by means of Design programme, training programs, cluster development, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructure and technology support and assistance through Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana.

Further, Office of Development Commissioner (Handloom) is implementing National Handloom Development Programme and Raw Material Supply Scheme on pan India basis. Under these schemes, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers’ MUDRA scheme, scholarships and social security etc.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4005)

(Release ID: 2115262) Visitor Counter : 57

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:17PM by PIB Delhi

The Government through Central Silk Board has been implementing Silk Samagra-2 scheme with an outlay of Rs. 4,679.85 crore for the overall development of sericulture industry in the country from the year 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to states towards implementation of various beneficiary oriented field level critical interventions, which includes raising of kissan nurseries, silkworm rearing packages (includes assistance for plantation, irrigation, rearing house, rearing equipments & prophylactic measures), establishment of chawki rearing centres in pre-cocoon sector, support & infrastructure oriented interventions for silkworm seed sector, silk reeling, spinning, weaving, processing components meant for post cocoon sector. 

So far, the central assistance of Rs. 1,075.58 crore has been provide to States to cover around 78,000 beneficiaries under Silk Samagra-2 scheme towards implementation of beneficiary-oriented components covering both pre & post cocoon activities/machineries for the growth and sustainability of sericulture sector.

Additionally, through Research & Development activities, the production and productivity of silk has been improved to achieve the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in silk sector.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q3999)

 

(Release ID: 2115263) Visitor Counter : 56

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:18PM by PIB Delhi

To promote the Handloom and Handicraft sectors, Ministry of Textiles is implementing the following schemes across the country:

1. National Handloom Development Programme;
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme;
3. National Handicrafts Development Programme
4. Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme

Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to the eligible handloom and handicraft agencies/weavers/artisans for raw materials, common infrastructure development, marketing of handloom and handicraft products in domestic/overseas markets, Weaver MUDRA Loans etc.

In addition to the above,

• Ministry of Textiles is also seeking protection of traditional designs and patterns under the Geographical Indication (GI) Act, 1999. This Ministry provides financial assistance for registering the designs/products under the GI Act and for organizing seminars, workshops etc., for awareness creation.
• Design Resource Centres have been set up in 16 Weavers’ Service Centres across the country including at Jaipur, Rajasthan to preserve traditional handloom designs, and to build and create design-oriented excellence in the Handloom Sector.
• Marketing platform is provided to the handloom & handicrafts agencies/weavers/artisans by organizing marketing expos/events to sell their products. During last three years, a total of 43 expos/events have been organised in the State of Rajasthan.
• To enhance productivity, marketing capabilities and ensure better incomes, more than 380 Producer Companies (PCs) have been formed in different States across country including 16 PCs in the state of Rajasthan.
• Steps have been taken to on-board weavers and artisans on Government e-Market (GeM) place to enable them sell their products directly to various Government Departments and organizations. So far about 1.80 lakh weavers have been on-boarded on the GeM portal.

Funds are not allocated State-wise. The funds are released based on receipt of proposals from the State Governments and other Handloom organisations.

Handloom and Handicrafts are mainly an individual based household activity to which Minimum Wages Act is not applicable. However, through schematic interventions, as specified above, Ministry of Textile provides direct marketing platforms giving ample opportunities for business development and income generation to weavers and artisans across the country.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q3914)

(Release ID: 2115265) Visitor Counter : 53

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 26 MAR 2025 4:20PM by PIB Delhi

Ministry of Textiles is continuously monitoring export performance of textiles and taking various measures to boost production and exports in consultation with Textiles Export Promotion Councils and Industry Associations.

Government is implementing Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for Apparel/Garments and Made-ups in order to enhance competitiveness by adopting principle of zero-rated exports. Further, textiles products not covered under the RoSCTL scheme are covered under Remissions of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) along with other products. In addition, Government provides financial support to various Export Promotion Councils and Trade Bodies under Market Access Initiative Scheme implemented by Department of Commerce for organising and participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, buyer-seller meets etc at national and international levels to boost export.

As per Para 2.55 of Foreign Trade Policy, 2023

(i)         Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) are policy instruments for Government to support exports. ECAs support exports by insurance, guarantee and also direct lending. Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) like Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Ltd. (ECGC) provides credit insurance support to exports and export credit lending. Covers issued by ECGC to exporters, protect against losses arising out of payment failures due to insolvency or default of the buyers or due to political risks. Exporters can diversify their markets in addition to protecting existing markets through such covers. ECGC also supports Medium and Long term (MLT) exports including project exports. Exim Bank is the other ECA in the business of lending for MLT exports and fronting the government’s line of credit.

(ii)        ECGC indemnifies losses of exporters in export trade due to insolvency or default of the buyer. Additionally, losses due to political risk like war, sudden import restriction, promulgation of law or decree after the shipment has been affected are also covered. Some of the anti- dumping measures or non-tariff barriers introduced after a shipment has been made will come under the purview of the political risk. In such cases exporter’s interest are protected by ECGC.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI PABITRA

MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

DIRECTOR

(Lok Sabha US Q4045)

(Release ID: 2115268) Visitor Counter : 51