Parliament Question: Handloom Hackathon, 2026

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2747 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2026 HANDLOOM HACKATHON, 2026 2747#. SHRI ABHAY KUMAR SINHA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्रमंत्री

be pleased to state :

(a) whether the benefits of the Handloom Hackathon, 2026 and other schemes launched by the Government are likely to made available to the weavers of Bihar;

(b) whether there is any proposal to connect the weavers and handicraft artisans of the Aurangabad Lok Sabha Constituency with these schemes;

(c) the details of the financial assistance provided to the weavers of the Aurangabad Lok Sabha Constituency during the last three years; and

(d) whether the Government is considering setting up a handloom/textile cluster in the Aurangabad Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof? उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा) THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): The Handloom Hackathon 2026 – "Weaving Innovation", launched by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, is a pan-India initiative open to eligible participants from across the country including Bihar State. The Hackathon aims to foster innovation and develop technology, design and market-driven solutions for the handloom sector.

Weavers, artisans, students, designers, technologists, entrepreneurs, researchers and start-ups from Bihar State are eligible to participate and avail the benefits arising from the Hackathon, including mentoring, incubation and linkages with technology, design and market access.

Further, the Ministry of Textiles is implementing various schemes for the overall holistic development of the handloom and handicrafts sectors across the country, including Bihar State.

These include the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), Raw Material Supply Scheme (RMSS), Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) and the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP).Under the National Handloom Development Programme, financial assistance is provided to eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, procurement of upgraded looms & accessories, solar lighting units, construction of workshed, skilling, product & design development, technical and common infrastructure, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, concessional loans under weavers' MUDRA scheme, scholarships and social security etc.

Similarly, under the National Handicrafts Development Programme, for overall development and promotion of handicrafts sector across the country need based financial assistance is provided for end-to-end support to the artisans throughout the country including Aurangabad. Under the Marketing Services & Support component of the Scheme, handicraft artisans are nominated to participate in marketing events, providing them with an opportunity to showcase and sell their products from throughout the India including Aurangabaddistrict of Bihar State.

(b): At present no such proposal is under consideration for Aurangabad district of Bihar State.

(c): Financial assistance of Rs.235.48 lakhs has been provided for 4 Cluster Development Programmes (CDPs) covering 677 beneficiaries in Bihar State during the last 3 years. During the year 2022-23, financial assistance of Rs.325.434 lakhs has been provided for 2 CDPs covering 329 beneficiaries in Aurangabad district of Bihar State.

(d): At present no such proposal is under consideration for Aurangabad district of Bihar State. *****