The Ministry of Textiles has submitted a proposal to the Planning Commission for merging of the various schemes in the handloom sector into five manageable ones.
Allocation under the Integrated Handloom Development Scheme has been pegged at Rs 120 crore for 2007-2008 while the Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme is to receive Rs 130 crore.
The Marketing and Export Promotion Scheme has been allotted Rs 35 crore, while the Handloom Inputs Scheme and the Diversified Handloom Development Scheme will each receive Rs 15 crore.
Overall production in the country's handloom sector is estimated to have risen from 5,722 million sq metres in 2004-2005 to 6,520 million sq metres in 2006-2007.