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Fibre2Fashion
Published
Jul 11, 2017
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Census for handloom weavers underway in India

By
Fibre2Fashion
Published
Jul 11, 2017

The government is carrying out the fourth national census of handloom weavers and allied workers to get a realistic picture of their presence and tailor policies for their welfare. It has already started collating data for this purpose. The exercise is expected to get completed by December 2017 after which photo identity cards would be issued to the workers.


Ministry of Textiles, India


The cards will make the weavers and other workers eligible for availing benefits under the government welfare schemes. Fresh data will help the government in reaching the handloom workers with welfare schemes, according to an agency report.

According to the 2009-10 census, there were 43.31 lakh handloom workers in the country, of which 36.33 lakh were in rural areas and 6.98 lakh workers were residing in urban areas.

However, the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) under the administrative control of Union Textiles Ministry believes the actual figure was lower and expects the new census data to more accurately reflect the number of handloom workers.

"The census that started in 2009 was jinxed, somehow it could not conclude properly. It was fraught with confusion with allegations of it not being conducted properly. The figure of 43 lakh weavers we quote right now is based on that tentative 2009-10 census figure, knowing very well from inside that this is not the correct figure. The actual figure must be less," Development Commissioner (Handlooms) Shantmanu told the news agency.

However, the office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) under the Union Textile Ministry is now collating census data using a house-to-house survey and also getting it cross checked with agencies like state government departments for a more realistic picture, Shantmanu said, according to the report. 

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