The Union Ministry of Textiles has approved a ₹48 crore allocation for Karnataka’s handloom sector under the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), with funds earmarked for three major weaving clusters: Ilkal in Bagalkote district, Dharwad, and Molakalmuru in Chitradurga district.

The funds will be disbursed over three years and cover infrastructure upgrades, design development, market linkages, and direct income support for registered weavers.

The Three Clusters

Ilkal is known for its distinctive cotton-silk saris with a contrasting pallu, recognised with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Around 8,000 weavers depend on the Ilkal cluster.

Dharwad produces traditional Karnataka cotton fabric used for shirts, lungis, and household textiles. The cluster has around 4,200 active looms.

Molakalmuru is famous for its pure silk saris, considered among the finest in Karnataka. Weavers here have struggled with rising silk yarn prices and low returns from middlemen in recent years.

What the Funds Cover

  • Upgrade of common facility centres with jacquard attachments and improved warping machines
  • Design training in partnership with the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
  • Direct market access through a new government e-commerce portal for handloom products
  • ₹6,000 per year direct support for weavers below a set income threshold

Weaver Response

Reactions among weavers are cautiously optimistic. Many have seen similar schemes announced in previous years with limited impact at the ground level due to delays in disbursement and complicated eligibility criteria.

“If the money reaches the loom, it will help. If it stays in the office, it will not,” said a weaver cooperative chairman in Ilkal, when contacted by phone.

The state government has committed to establishing grievance cells in each cluster to monitor fund utilisation.