Govt okays Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme

NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday approved implementation of the Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme (IHDS) at a cost of Rs 790 crore which will help weavers in developing new designs and provide market support to improve their socio-economic conditions.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval for implementing the IHDS as a centrally sponsored scheme during the 11th Plan and to meet the committed liabilities of the four erstwhile schemes for a total budget provision of Rs 790 crore," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters.

These schemes were Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana, Integrated Handlooms Training Project, Workshed-cum- Housing Scheme and the Integrated Handlooms Cluster Development Scheme.

The IHDS will be implemented for a period of five years beginning this fiscal and up to 2011-12, he said.

Of the total money, Rs 120 crore would be spent this fiscal, Rs 145 crore next fiscal, and Rs 160 crore would be utilised in the fiscal 2009-10, Chidambaram added.

The finance minister said Rs 175 crore would be spent in 2010-11 and Rs 190 crore would be utilised in the terminal year of the 11th Plan period.

"The implementation of the scheme will benefit the weavers in developing and diversifying new designs and products, their skill upgradation of looms, suitable workplace with market support, thereby improving their earnings and socio-economic conditions," he said