Samarth (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles Sector)

In News

• The Ministry of Textiles has invited proposals for empanelment from the textile industry and industry associations to broad base the panel of implementing partners for Samarth.

About the Scheme

• Samarth is a demand driven and placement-oriented umbrella skilling programme of the Ministry of Textiles.
• Aim:  To incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textiles, excluding Spinning and Weaving.
• Coverage: The scheme has been penetrated across 28 States and 6 Union territories of the country and caters to all sections of the society including SC, ST and other marginalized categories. 
• Partners: The Ministry has partnered with 116 Textile Industries / Industry Associations, 12 Central / State Government Agencies and 3 Sectoral Organizations of the Ministry for undertaking training programmes under Samarth.  
• Implementation: The implementation period of the scheme is up to March 2024. Employment linkage is mandated in the courses under orgnaized textile sector with mandatory placement 70% in entry level & 90% for Upskilling programmes. 
• Achievements so far: Out of the skilling target of 3.47 lakh beneficiaries allocated so far, 1.5 lakh beneficiaries have been provided training.  
  • More than 85% of the beneficiaries trained so far under the scheme are women.  
  • More than 70% of the beneficiaries trained in organized sector courses have been provided placement.

India’s Textile Industry

• The Textile industry in India is one of the largest in the world and one of the largest consumers and producers of cotton in the world.
• India is the 2nd largest producer of MMF (Man made) Fibre. India is the 6th largest exporter of Textiles & Apparel in the world.
• India became the second-largest manufacturer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits in the world. 
• India is the second-largest producer of silk in the world and a global leader in jute production, accounting for about 70% of estimated world production. 
• The industry contributes to 7% of industrial output in value terms, 2% of India’s GDP and 12% of the country’s export earnings. 
• The Textile industry in India is one of the largest sources of employment generation in the country. 

Government Initiatives to give a Boost to Textlile Industry

• FDI Policy: 100% FDI is allowed under the automatic route in the Textile Industry in India.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: For Enhancing India’s Manufacturing Capabilities and Enhancing Exports – Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Wool Development Scheme: Provision has been made to provide financial assistance in form of Revolving Fund for procurement/marketing of pashmina wool in UT of Ladakh and UT of J&K.
• Toy Manufacturing: 3 toy clusters have been identified. A National Action Plan for Indian Toy Story has been made with the collaboration of 14 Ministries/ Dept. of Govt. of India. The scheme is being implemented throughout the country to make available Yarn to Handloom weavers at reasonable price.
• Raw Material Supply Scheme: freight charges are reimbursed for all types of yarn; and component of 15% price subsidy is there for cotton hank yarn, domestic silk, wool and linen yarn and blended yarn of natural fibres, with quantity caps. 

Source: PIB