Swanirbhar Naari is a state flagship scheme implemented by the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles, Assam, to support indigenous weavers and promote their traditional hand-woven items. The scheme ensures direct procurement from weavers without the involvement of middlemen, thereby providing them fair market access and improved remuneration for their craftsmanship.
Under the scheme, a dedicated online portal (swanirbharnaari.assam.gov.in) is used for the registration of eligible weavers. The weavers are required to undergo physical field verification by departmental officials, and their registration is mapped with their Aadhaar number. The scheme encourages the weavers to acquire various certifications and provides quality training to upgrade their skills through Handloom Training Centres and Institutes. To enhance productivity and quality, modern technology is integrated into the traditional weaving process.
India Handloom Brand is a scheme that has been launched by the Prime Minister as a part of the first-ever India Handloom Brand in Chennai. The scheme endorses the quality of the products such as raw material, processing, embellishments, weaving design and other requirements to earn customer’s trust. Moreover, the scheme is aimed to generate a special market space and increase the income of the weavers.
Benefits
- Empowerment of indigenous weavers by eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair market access.
- Improved remuneration for the weavers through direct procurement and online payments.
- Skill upgradation and training opportunities through Handloom Training Centres and Institutes.
- Integration of modern technology to enhance the pattern, quality, and productivity of hand-woven items.
- Facilitation of certifications to validate the craftsmanship of the weavers.
- Increased market visibility and sales opportunities through showrooms and e-marketing platforms.
- Preservation and promotion of traditional hand-woven heritage of Assam.
Categories of Users
Given below is the list of category of users to participate in India handloom brand initiative.
- Weavers
- Master weavers
- Primary co-operative societies
- Apex handloom societies
- Retailers
- Exporters
- Others
Other includes Self Help Groups (SHGs), consortia, producers companies, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Handloom Weavers Groups (HWG) etc. that are identified under Integrated Handloom Development Scheme (IHDS) or any other legal entity/organisation that is involved in handloom related activities, approved to avail benefits under other schemes of Development Commissioner for Handlooms. Any other organisations willing to participate in the scheme has to be approved by the Development Commissioner for Handlooms.
Eligibility
- The weaver must be a resident of Assam.
- The weaver must have at least one handloom in their household.
- The weaver must have a valid bank account with Core Banking Solution (CBS).
- The weaver should possess a valid yarn passbook issued by the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles, Assam (if available).
- Indigenous weavers from Assam and intended weavers are allowed to register, subject to physical verification by concerned Inspectors of Handloom and Textile, Assam.
Application Process
Step 1: Registration
Weavers need to visit the “Swanirbhar Naari” portal (swanirbharnaari.assam.gov.in) and register as a beneficiary.
The registration process requires providing the necessary details and uploading the required documents (as stated in section 7.1 to 7.4).
The registration will be accepted subject to physical field verification by departmental officials.
Step 2: Verification and Approval
Departmental officials will conduct physical field verification of the registered weavers to validate their eligibility.
Once the verification is completed, the officials will approve the weaver’s registration on the portal.
Step 3: Procurement and Payment
Weavers can participate in the procurement process by submitting their products based on the defined quality benchmarks.
The procurement committee, consisting of officials from the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles, Assam, ARTFED, AGMC Ltd., and other relevant representatives, will examine the products and fix the price.
Upon successful procurement, the weavers will receive online payments within four days.
Documents Required
- Proof of residence in Assam
- Proof of owning at least one handloom
- Valid bank account details with Core Banking Solution (CBS)
- Valid yarn passbook issued by the Directorate of Handloom & Textiles, Assam (if available)
FAQs
How can I register for the scheme?
You need to visit the “Swanirbhar Naari” portal (swanirbharnaari.assam.gov.in) and complete the registration process by providing the required details and uploading the necessary documents.
Is physical verification necessary for registration?
Yes, physical field verification of the weavers by departmental officials is mandatory for the registration to be accepted.