Objective:

The objective of the scheme is to make available the credit to handloom weavers at concessional interest rates.

Interest subsidy:

To provide subsidized loan to handloom sector at the interest rate of 6% for a period of three years, the quantum of interest subsidy to be borne by the Government of India will be for three years and limited to the difference between the actual rate of interest as applicable and charged by the Banks and 6% to be borne by the borrower. However, the GoI interest subvention will be capped at 7%.

Margin money assistance:

Margin money assistance to a maximum of Rs. 10000/- per weaver will be provided, which will enable the handloom weavers, their self-help groups and joint liability groups to leverage this amount for borrowing loans from the banks. However, weavers’ cooperative societies, weavers’ producer companies, etc. will not be eligible for the margin money assistance. In case, the requirement of margin money for the loan required by the weaver is more, then the beneficiary or State Govt. or Implementing Agency or in any combination thereof will be required to contribute additional amount of margin money.

Credit Guarantee:

The loans extended by the Banks/Financial Institutions to the handloom weavers will be guaranteed by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Medium & Small Enterprises (CGTMSE). For this purpose, the required guarantee fee and annual service fee will be paid by the Government of India. Guarantee cover will be effective from the date of disbursement of loan by the bank for 3 years.

Information, Education & Communication (IEC) Activities including Bunkar Facilitator:

These will be carried out to make the beneficiaries aware of the scheme by associating all the local stakeholders such as WSCs, Banks, State government officials, marketing agencies etc. Further, Banks will be authorized to engage Bunkar Facilitator for collection and preliminary processing of loan application for completeness in all respect, submission of application to the correct bank branch and post-sanction monitoring till disbursement of loan, for which Government of India will pay an incentive of 0.5% of loan amount disbursed subject to minimum of Rs.200 and maximum of Rs.2000 per loan sanctioned to the bank for onward payment to the Bunkar Facilitator.

Eligible Agencies to avail Loan from Banks/Financial Institutions:

Following agencies are eligible to avail loan from the Banks/Financial Institutions:

i.                    Handloom Weavers involved in weaving activity,

ii.                  Weaver Entrepreneur,

iii.                Self Help Groups,

iv.                Joint Liability Groups,

v.                  Primary Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Societies,

vi.                Apex Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Societies, and vii. Producers’ Companies/Consortia promoted by handloom weavers including those promoted under Cluster/Mega Cluster/Handloom Parks under SITP or other schemes of Ministry of Textiles.