West Bengal has always a rich heritage of handlooms and khadi. West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers Financial Benefit Scheme 2024 is introduced to advance an age-old small-scale and cottage industry in West Bengal. Bengal handlooms are renowned for their rich heritage of high craftsmanship and exclusive art, which are the hallmark of skilled weavers in the region.
Tangail-Jamdani,Baluchari, Shantipuri,Tangail ,Dhaniakhali, Garad, Korial sarees, etc., are some of the distinct weaves of Bengal. This sector provides a wide avenue for employment generation. Scarves/stoles, dress materials, home furnishings, lungis, gamchas, mosquito nets, coarse bedcovers/bed sheets, coarse sarees, and dhuties, woven in handloom, provide support to a large number of weavers across the state.
Similarly, khadi bears the insignia of the independence movement and occupies a cherished position in our state. Handwoven fabrics made from hand-spun yarns are the hallmark of khadi. Fine count yarns woven into the finest quality fabric have made some khadi products highly sought after in the export market. Khadi muslin is an exquisite product of which Bengal is proud. Khadi artisans working under approximately 400 societies produce a wide array of khadi products, acclaimed in both domestic and export markets.
Now, the “WEST BENGAL HANDLOOM AND KHADI WEAVERS FINANCIAL BENEFIT SCHEME 2024” is being introduced for the future benefit and advancement of handloom and khadi weavers in the state.
Eligible Weavers:
The weavers who are eligible under the West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers Financial Benefit Scheme 2024 are :
- HANDLOOM WEAVERS
- Type I: Entrepreneur Weavers (also known as Master Weavers)
- Type II: Allied Workers-Individual Weavers who are Associated with Handloom Weaving
- Type III: Cooperative Fold Weavers/Weavers Associated with Handloom Clusters, etc.
- KHADI WEAVERS
Objective:
The objective of the scheme is to:
a. Eliminate the debt of PWCS by offering financial aid to settle NPA accounts through a One-Time Settlement (OTS) with The West Bengal State Cooperative Bank Ltd. (WBSCB Ltd.) or multiple District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs).
b. To give financial assistance to societies and individual weavers for good and sustainable livelihood options.
c. Supply subsidized yarn to Primary Weavers’ Cooperative Societies, Khadi Weavers’ Societies, and individual weavers.
The emphasis is on speeding up and concentrating the growth of handloom and khadi weavers and their organizations throughout the state. This approach aims to optimize resource use, create more job opportunities, and broaden the reach of handloom operations across West Bengal.
Commencement and Duration:
Unless specifically mentioned against respective items of support/assistance/supply sanctioned under the Scheme, the Scheme comes into effect from the date of the official notification of “WEST BENGAL HANDLOOM AND KHADI WEAVERS FINANCIAL BENEFIT SCHEME 2024” and will remain in force for five years unless withdrawn or amended earlier by a notification in the official Gazette.
| Key Feature | Key Feature |
|---|---|
| Scheme | West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers – Financial Benefit Scheme – 2024 |
| Department | Micro – Small & Medium Enterprise and Textiles Department |
| Article Category | Yojana |
| Scheme Budget | 700 Crores |
| Order No | 1001-MSMET-18011(11)/11/2024-SS (MSMET) dt 07.03.2024 |
| Mode of Application | Online/Offline |
| Download Notice | Download Link |
| Download Form | Download Link |
| Official Website | https://westbengalhandloom.org/ |
| Offline Form Collection/Submission | BDO ( Block Development Office ) |
| District wise Offices | Office Addresses |
Components of the Scheme:
Supporting of OTS of NPA Accounts of PWCS :
- Under this support component, the State Government will extend financial support to clear 100% of the overdue principal amount plus 25% of the overdue interest amount as of 31/03/2024 of the NPA account of potentially viable and viable Primary Weavers Cooperative Societies.
- The balance 75% overdue interest and any penal interest, if applicable, shall be written off by the West Bengal State Cooperative Bank Ltd./District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd. of the concerned districts.
PWCS – Primary Weavers Cooperative Societies
OTS – One Time Settlement of NPA Accounts
NPA – Non Performing Assets.
Example:
- X PWCS has an NPA of Rs. 1.00 lakh (overdue principal) and an overdue interest of Rs. 1.00 lakh.
- X PWCS is supposed to receive a sanction of government financial assistance of Rs. 1.00 lakh for the overdue principal.
- Thus, the overdue principal will be NIL (1.00 – 1.00 = 0).
- The said PWCS is supposed to receive a sanction of 25% of the overdue interest amounting to Rs. 0.25 lakh.
- The balance overdue interest will remain Rs. 0.75 lakh.
- The bank will write off the aforementioned overdue interest of Rs. 0.75 lakh. The entire amount of Rs. 1.25 lakh will be credited to the respective bank on behalf of the PWCS.
- Consequently, the PWCS will have “NO liability” for overdue principal and interest and will be eligible to receive a fresh loan from the bank for production and marketing.
Provide help to Viable and Potentially Viable PWCS:
The norms for viable and potentially viable societies will be determined by the State Level Committee set up for this purpose under the Scheme.
Under this Scheme, PWCS shall receive one-time financial assistance ranging between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 10 lakh, depending on the extent of the PWCS’s activity. The specific norm for such assistance will be determined by the State Level Committee.
Supply of Yarn to Societies, etc., at a Subsidized Rate:
i. The quantity of yarn required by handloom societies, etc., will be supplied by TANTUJA at 10% concessional rates on the purchase price of yarn. TANTUJA will be entitled to a 5% administrative cost for transportation, storing, and handling from the State Government for the procurement and supply of yarn to the societies, in addition to the 10% discount allowed to the societies by TANTUJA. This will not be applicable to yarn procured by TANTUJA under the NHDP Scheme.
ii. The quantity of roving or high-count cotton fiber purchased by a Khadi Society (registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, Official Trustees Act, Societies Act, Partnership Firm/Company Act, etc.) from WBKVIB will be supplied by WBKVIB at 10% concessional rates on the purchase price of roving or high-count cotton fiber.
The total concession amount allocated by WBKVIB to Khadi Societies includes a 5% administrative fee, which covers expenses related to transportation, storage, and handling costs on the procurement expenditure. roving or high-count cotton fiber, in addition to the 10% discount allowed to the societies by WBKVIB, will be reimbursed to WBKVIB by the State Government.
Assistance to Individual Handloom Weavers:
Handloom weavers who do not belong to any PWCS or are not Individual Handloom Weavers will receive a one-time financial aid as follows:
i. Rs. 5,000 per weaver for the repair/renovation of work sheds and/or repair/modification of looms and accessories.
ii. Rs. 10,000 will also be provided towards buying costs of raw material for the production of handloom products. To receive this benefit, the raw material, i.e., yarn, must be procured through TANTUJA.
Documents Required for West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers Financial Benefit Scheme 2024
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter Id Card
- PAN Card
- Bank Account
- Proof of Handloom/Khadi Weaver
- Photo
Brief Operational Procedures for West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers Financial Benefit Scheme 2024:
i) An eligible PWCS/Khadi Society/Individual Weaver will apply either online or offline in the prescribed format (as notified by this department) before the Director, Textiles.
ii) A district-level committee with the following composition will be formed:
- Additional District Magistrate (Industries) – Chairman
- Zonal Dy. Director of Textiles (Handloom) – Member
- 1 – Representative from the Co-operative Audit Directorate – Member
- 1 – Representative from West Bengal State Cooperative Bank Ltd./Concerned DCCB – Member
- Development Officer (Handloom) – Member
- Development Officer (Khadi) – wherever required – Member
The Committee will scrutinize and examine the claim proposals submitted in the prescribed format and will conduct a field enquiry if necessary. The Committee will recommend the claim based on the scrutiny/examination undertaken to the Director, Textiles/CEO WBKVIB, as the case may be.
iii) There will be a State Level Committee with the following composition:
- Special Secretary, MSME&T Department – Chairman
- Managing Director, TANTUJA – Member
- Director, Textiles – Member Convenor
- Chief Executive Officer, WBKVIB – Member
- Additional Registrar of Co-operative Societies – Member
- Managing Director, WB State Co-operative Bank Ltd. – Member
- One Senior Officer (not below the rank of Joint Secretary) of the Department of Finance – Member
- Financial Advisor, MSME&T Department – Member
The State Level Committee will be responsible for setting forth suitable conditions and associated norms for viable and potentially viable PWCS. It will also establish norms and modalities for extending financial assistance to such viable/potentially viable PWCS/Societies/Individual Weavers. The Committee will send its recommendations to the MSME&T Department, which will notify them after seeking the concurrence of the Finance Department.
NPS Vatsalya Scheme
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan
ICDS Recruitment 2024 West Bengal
Madhyamgram Municipality Recruitment 2024
CBSE 10th Compartment Result 2024
West Bengal Madhyamik Routine 2025
FAQs
What is the objective of West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers Financial Benefit Scheme 2024?
The “West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers Financial Benefit Scheme 2024,” governed by the MSME and Textiles Department of the Government of West Bengal, is designed to help PWCS become debt-free. This initiative provides financial assistance for the One-Time Settlement (OTS) of Non-Performing Asset (NPA) accounts held by PWCS, aiming to clear their debts and support their financial stability.
What is the start date and duration of this scheme?
This scheme was launched on 7th March, 2024 and will remain active for five years.
What is the frequency of the assistance?
The assistance will be provided only one time to the beneficiaries under this scheme .
How can the benefits be availed in West Bengal Handloom and Khadi Weavers Financial Benefit Scheme 2024?
An eligible PWCs/ Khadi society/ Individual Weaver will have to apply either in online mode or in offline mode in the pre-given format before the Director, Textiles.
