The Assam Government has launched a scheme named ‘Swanirbhar Naari’ under which 1.60 lakhs weavers in Assam will be benefited.

This scheme have been introduced in order to empower indigenous weavers. Through the scheme the government will procure handloom items directly from the indigenous weavers via a web portal.

The Government will now directly procure their products and the system of selling through middlemen will be abolished.

The number of beneficiaries may increase to 2.50 lakh weavers. They have applied for the same and the process of scrutiny of their products is on.

According to a repprt published by The Assam Tribune, the minister in charge of Handloom and Textiles, UG Brahma said that the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles would directly procure the hand-woven products from the indigenous weavers and those would be sold through the ARTFED and the Assam Government Marketing Corporation Limited.

He said that the middlemen used to take the profit and the profit margins of weavers was very less. However, after the introduction of the scheme, the system of middlemen would be abolished and the weavers would be benefited.

The Assam Swanirbhar Naari Scheme was initially introduced on July 19, 2022. During the launch of the plan, the CM of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, prioritized the handloom sector, particularly for indigenous weavers. This scheme will assist these individuals to expand their businesses and support their families financially. It has been stated that there will be an online website that will enable them to sell their goods on an internet basis with no intermediaries so that they can get the full benefits. This scheme comes under the department of handloom textiles and sericulture to conserve the state’s cultural heritage and promote people who have inherited this skill from their ancestors.

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