In Tripura there are 1,37,177 nos. Handloom weavers as per the National Handloom Census conducted by the Government of India. 22,250 nos. weavers are in 50 nos. of Handloom Clusters. Out of 50 nos. Handloom Clusters, 14 nos. in West Tripura, 5 in Khowai District, 9 in Sepahijala District, 6 in Gomati District, 5 in South Tripura, 5 in Dhalai District, 2 in Unakoti District and 4 in North Tripura. The State Tripura has some unique traditional design and arts in Handloom Textiles. These earliest skillful arts have its own place of pride, even today these arts are survived despite of all odds. The Handloom Industry plays a dominant role in the economic development of rural people of Tripura.
Handloom weaving in Tripura may be classified into two broad sectors.
Commercial Weavers: The Bengali weavers are the main commercial weavers of the State. The weavers are used to weave handloom fabrics likes Silk Saree, Acrylic Shirting, Bed cover, Bedsheet, Gamcha, Lungi, Naga Types of Shawl, Ladies Scarf, Gauge & Bandages etc. The Manipuri Community is also mostly weaving their fabric in commercial manner.
Domestic or non commercial weaver: The tribal women weave their fabrics for domestic or ritual purpose. The Directorate of Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture has taken efforts to bring the weavers for commercial weaving so that they can generate some income to increase their livelihood for last few years. The Government has extended various supports and provides backward-forward linkage to the weavers by State Plan Scheme and Centrally Sponsored Project/ Schemes for upliftment of socio-economic condition of weavers' community.
The following schemes are being implemented in the State with fund of State and Central Governments;
Integrated Handloom Development Scheme (IHDS),
Special Handloom Development Project,
Social welfare Scheme like life insurance (MGBBY),
Marketing promotion Scheme,
Handloom Cluster Development Project,
Block Level Handloom Cluster Development Project,
Skill up gradation programme for the weavers.
Integrated Handloom Development Scheme: This scheme is introduced by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Government of India during 11th Plan period. This scheme is unique for overall Development of Handloom Industries. This scheme provides training with modernize handloom, looms accessories, work shed, margin money for rising working capital etc. This scheme is under implementation in 24 nos. Handloom Clusters. 1200 nos. weavers were trained and provided looms accessories and margin money etc. The implementation of the scheme is almost completed.
Special Handloom Development Project: So far, 990 nos. weavers have been trained on weaving on frame loom under the project and looms & accessories were provided to 990 nos. weavers. Margin money provided to 990 nos. weavers @ Rs 10,000/- each and workshed has been provided to 780 nos. weavers. 3 (three) nos. training sheds have been constructed at Rajghat (Lefunga R. D. Block), Padmabil (Padmabil R. D. Block) and Khumulwng (Belbari R. D. Block) under the project. For this, an amount of Rs.10.45 lakh have been spent.
The following schemes are being implemented in the State as joint venture of State and Central Governments.
Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana: This is a Welfare Scheme for providing general insurance to weavers. During the year 2015-16, 3542 nos. weavers have been enrolled under the scheme. Action has been taken to cover more number of weavers under MGBBY.
Marketing Promotion Scheme: This is Centrally Sponsored Scheme and under the scheme the Government organizes fairs/expos on sale of handloom products produced by weavers of the State. The weavers of Cooperative Societies, participate directly in the event, they sale their own product and interact with buyers and thus they acquires with forecasting of market trend for their future years. During 2015-16, 5 nos. District Level Handloom Fairs, 2 nos. Special Handloom Expos and 2 nos. National Handloom Expos have been organized in the State. Besides, 3 nos. National Level Handloom Expos have also been organized under North Eastern Regional Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS).
Handloom Cluster Development Project under North Eastern Textiles Promotion Scheme: During 2015-16, implementation of 17 nos. of Cluster Development Projects have been started in 17 nos. weavers concentrated areas of the state. Total project cost is Rs.8.48 Crores. Out of Rs.8.48 crores, an amount of Rs.1.7135 crores has been released by the Government of India as 1st installment. So far 240 nos. weavers have been provided benefit of the project. Utilization Certificate along with physical and financial reports have been sent to the office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, New Delhi with a request to release balance fund of the project.
Block Level Handloom Cluster Development Project: During the year 2015-16, the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has sanctioned 3 nos. Block Level Handloom cluster Development Projects for implementation in Tripura. Total Project cost is Rs.413.64 lakhs, out of which an amount of Rs.177.13 lakh has been released by the Government of India as 1st instalment to the Implementing Agencies (Primary Weavers Co-operative Societies). The implementation of the Project is started. Total beneficiaries to be covered are 480 nos.
Skill up-gradation programme: Adoption of latest technical know-how for sustaining the activity for better returns of the unskilled and semi skill weavers are up-graded by imparting training on new techniques and designs for 4 months. During training, the trainees are being paid loss of wages and after training they are being equipped with Frame Handloom with accessories at free of cost. During this financial year-2015-16, 160 nos. weavers have been trained on weaving of fabrics on Frame loom.
Marketing Promotion Scheme: This is Centrally sponsored scheme the Government organizes Fairs/Expos for sale of Handloom products produced by the weavers of the State. The weavers of Co Operative Societies are participating directly in the event, they sale their own product and interact with the buyers and thus they acquired with forecasting of Market trend for their future years. During the year 2015-16. 5 nos. District Level Handloom Expos, 2 nos. Special handloom Expos, 2 nos. National Level handloom Expo & 2 nos. National Level Handloom Expo under NERTPS at Guwahati, Assam & Siliguri, West Bengal.
Turnover of Handloom: The turnover of handloom fabrics have been increased by Rs.29.00 lakh during the year 2015-16. Total turn over for the year 2015-16 of Handloom fabrics is Rs.410.00 lakhs.
Source: Economic Review of Tripura, 2015-16