In order to identify genuine authentic handloom , one can look forward the following labels attached with the products.

• Handloom Mark
• India Handloom Brand

Handloom weaving is a labour intensive occupation spread throughout the country, mostly in villages. The handloom sector employs over 43 lakh persons in weaving and allied activities (as per handlooms census of India 2009-10). The main raw material used by this sector is yarn, which is being produced by spinning mills. The yarn trade was controlled by the traders and most of the handloom weavers were dependent on the traders for their yarn requirement. This had resulted in unchecked escalation in yarn prices and shortage in its availability. NHDC ensures the supply of raw material to handloom sector directly from the manufacturers.

YSS Yarn Supply scheme is flagship scheme of govt. of India under which eligible handloom agencies are getting all types of Yarn on Mill Gate Price(means yarn purchase from manufacturers is provided to handloom weavers on the same rate.in addition from 6^th January 2012,10% yarn subsidy component is also incorporated for the supply of cotton and silk yarn, both manufactured in India.  

The agencies which will be eligible to avail of the benefit of the scheme will be as under:

a.

All handloom organizations (including weaver co-operative societies) at National/ State/ Regional/ Primary Handloom level.

b.

Handloom Development Centres.

c.

Handloom producers/manufacturers exporting directly and registered with HEPC/ any other Export Promotion Council under Ministry of Textiles/Director of Industries/Handlooms of State/U.T.

d.

The Consortium/producers Company formed in the handloom clusters sanctioned under IHDS/IHCDS/Mega Clusters/Integrated Handloom Textile Parks.

e.

Members of recognized/approved handloom associations.

f.

NGOs fulfilling CAPART norms.

g.

Self Help Groups/ Joint liability Groups.

h.

Individual weavers and Weavers entrepreneurs.

i.

Any other agency approved by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

The eligible agencies will place their indents on NHDC under the scheme. NHDC will tie-up the supplies from the suppliers as per the demand specifications. The user agencies should use the yarn under the scheme for captive production of cloth on handloom or for supply to their member societies/weavers directly enrolled under them by passing on the benefits of the scheme to them in full.

National Handloom Development Corporation Limited (NHDC) was set up in February 1983 as a Public Sector Undertaking by the Government of India as an autonomous body under the Companies Act 1956 in pursuance of the imperative need for a National Level Agency to assist the speedy development of the Handloom Sector by coordinating all action covering the procurement and supply of inputs at reasonable prices augmenting the marketing efforts of State upgrading the technology in the Handloom Sector & improving productivity.

In order to get 10% benefits first user agencies will have to apply for a Yarn passbook on specified format. The forms can be downloaded from NHDC website.

After getting the passbook beneficiary agencies will place the order along with Yarn passbook .

NHDC is implementing the Yarn supply scheme of Govt. of India , under which all types of yarn is being supplied to the eligible handloom weavers all over the country at the mill gate price. In addition to the supply of raw material NHDC is also undertaking following developmental activities for the handloom sectors.

a.

India Handloom Brand: India Handloom brand has been launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on the occasion of the first National Handloom Day on August 7, 2015.  The Handloom Mark Scheme was launched by the Government of India on June 28, 2006 to provide assurance to the consumers about authenticity of handloom products. However, it did not cover the aspect of product quality assurance. Therefore, the India Handloom brand is an initiative for branding of high quality handloom products with zero defects and zero effect on the environment. It would differentiate high quality handloom products and help in earning trust of customers by endorsing their quality in terms of raw materials, processing, embellishments, weaving design and other quality parameters and by ensuring social and environmental compliances in their production. The registration for India Handloom will be granted to certain specified eligible entities in respect of identified product categories which meet prescribed quality parameters.

b.

Dyers Training programs: To educate the weavers about the latest dying techniques so that the marketability of there product improved.

c.

Buyers Sellers meet : to introduce the alternate Yarn supply mills to the handloom weavers about the choice of Yarn and to improve the availability of good quality yarn.It helps the suppliers and buyers to interact each other directly .

d.

Seminar on dissemination of various Govt schemes . :To disseminate the information about the various government schemes for the handloom sectors.

e.

Special Handloom Expo: To organize the exhibitions at the various parts of the country to assist the marketing handloom products.

f.

Product development : NHDC undertakes several programs on development of new products by using different kinds of yarn for the betterments of products beyond traditional lines.

g.

Knowledge sharing visits :To enhance the knowledge of weavers NHDC facilitates the visit of weavers in other weaving clusters of the country.

Under the Yarn Supply Scheme, following assistance shall be provided by the Government of India:

1. Freight reimbursement for transportation of yarn (all types)

2. Expenses of operating the yarn depots.

3. 10% Price Subsidy on hank yarn (cotton, silk, wool)

4. 10% price subsidy will be paid by NHDC upfront in the invoice .

5. The rates for freight reimbursement, depot operating expenses will be as follows:

Percentage value of yarn

Item	Plan Area	Hill/Remote Area	North eastern region
Except Silk and Jute	2.50%	2.50%	5.00%
Silk Yarn	1.00%	1.25 %	1.50%
Jute/Jute Blend	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

The transportation charges will reimbursed on actual or above rates whichever is less.The Govt. of India will reimburse 2.5% depot charges through NHDC.

In addition to above , Govt. of India is giving 10% yarn subsidy to eligible agencies from 6^th January-2012 as per the yarn passbook issued to them on domestic cotton, silk and woolen yarn.

Under YSS scheme all types of yarn like cotton, silk, wool, polyester ,acrylic ,rayon ,zari, jute and blended yarn is supplied to the eligible handloom agencies.Though the 10% yarn subsidy is applicable on domestic cotton, wool and silk yarn.

In order to provide services NHDC is operating 9 regional Offices , 1 Event Office and 37 Branch Offices. The NHDC contact points are situated in the state capitals and /or weavers concentrated areas. The contact details of these offices are available at NHDC website www.nhdc.org.in