India has a long tradition of excellence in making handloom products with extraordinary skills and craftsmanship. 44 lakh weavers are engaged in this activity, out of which 78% are women.

By the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for production) Act, 1985, the Central Government has reserved articles or class of articles for exclusive production of handlooms for the protection and development of the handloom industry.
Further to this effort, the Ministry of Textiles launched “Handloom Mark” scheme with effect from 28.06.2006 for promoting and preserving the Indian handloom products and securing a premium position in the domestic as well as international market. This provides a collective identity to the handloom products of India for popularizing the hand woven products originating from the handloom sector. Thus, the Handloom Mark does not necessarily guarantee a bench mark quality for the product, but ensures only the origin of the product.

Though the weavers produce rich variety of designs and textures, there is not much emphasis on the quality of the product due to various reasons. Experience of implementing Handloom Mark in the past years indicate that this has served the limited purpose of production of cloth by handlooms and not been able to address the quality related parameters which are integral for development of handloom as a niche product.

It is stressed on the need to produce a fabric “with no defect and no effect on environment” and develop “Indian Handlooms” brand for assuring quality products meeting social and environmental compliances.

Share you valuable views and opinions on the concept paper.

Concept Paper on Indian Handlooms Brand: http://planningcommission.gov.in/reports/genrep/drft_cosulpapr_1410.pdf

The last date for submission of your comments is 10th March, 2015.

Handloom Mark Scheme: http://www.handloommark.gov.in/About-Scheme/HLM-Scheme.pdf

Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act 1985 - http://handlooms.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Act%201985.pdf