Samarth Scheme

What is Samarth Scheme?

The Samarth Scheme, a flagship scheme for capacity building in the textiles sector, is being implemented by the Ministry of Textile. Between 2017 and 2020, it aims to educate 10 lakh people. However, the programme has recently been terminated in some states due to the COVID-19-led countrywide shutdown. The Samarth Scheme aims to provide skill development and placement-oriented training across the textile value chain, except the organised sector’s spinning and weaving.

Objectives of the Samarth Scheme

• It would give over 10 lakh people skilling programmes compatible with the National Skills Framework Qualification (NSFQ).
• The Samarth Scheme’s skilling programmes are designed to encourage and support the textile industry’s efforts.
• The plan intends to increase employment in the textile and allied industries, including the complete textile value chain, excluding spinning and weaving.
• Through skilling and skill up-gradation, traditional sectors such as handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture, and jute would be improved.
• It intends to encourage self-employment among adolescents and others by upgrading the skills of thousands of people.
• Its goal is to ensure that all members of society have a secure future.

Characteristics of the Samarth Scheme

• Training of Trainers (ToT) – This will improve the master trainers’ facilitation skills.
• Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) would ensure the trainers’ and recipients’ trustworthiness.
• Training programs are recorded via CCTV — Training institutions will be equipped with CCTV cameras to avoid bitter disputes in the scheme’s operation.
• Dedicated call centre with a hotline.
• Management Information System based on a mobile app (MIS).
• Monitoring of training activities through the internet.

The plan, which would cost Rs.1300 crores, has been authorised by the national government.

Samarth Scheme Application Procedure

Interested individuals can apply for the Samarth scheme to participate in training and skilling programs in the textile and garment industries to improve their job chances. The application procedure is as follows:

• Visit the Samarth scheme’s official website.
• On the right-hand corner of the home page, select the ‘Candidate Registration’ option.
• The ‘Candidate Enquiry Form’ will appear on the screen. On the ‘Candidate Enquiry Form,’ input your name, date of birth, e-mail, cellphone number, state, address, district, and training centre. Then click the ‘Submit’ button to finish the online application process.

Initiatives by the Government to Promote the Textile Industry

• The Indian government intends to establish a venture capital fund to support textile start-ups and creative concepts (Rs. 100 crores).
• The allowance of 100 per cent FDI through the automatic method is another essential move to develop the textile sector.
• During the 12th Five Year Plan, the Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) was established to develop brownfield and greenfield projects with modern facilities to assist textile clusters.
• In 1999, the government established the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS) to encourage textile and allied industries investment.
• In 2005, the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) was established to encourage investment in the textile industry.
• In 2017, the government established the PowerTex India Scheme to help the power loom industry grow.
• The Silk Samagra Scheme was established to boost local silk output.
• Jute-I CARE, a government initiative for jute farmers, was started in 2015.

FAQ’s – Samarth Scheme

✅What is the Ministry of Textiles’ e-commerce portal?

Digital India Corporation is working on an e-commerce system for the Ministry of Textiles that would allow Indian handloom weavers and artisans to sell their goods online, allowing them to gain financial and social empowerment.

✅What are the products of the textile industry?

Textile production is a significant industry. It is primarily reliant on the transformation of fibre into yarn, which is subsequently converted into fabric. These are then coloured or printed, then manufactured into cloth, later turned into usable objects like clothes, home items, furniture, and different industrial applications.

✅What three inventions changed the textile business forever?

The textile industry has seen a significant boost in productivity because of several innovative technologies. The spinning jenny, the spinning mule, the cotton gin, and the power loom were among them. The use of steam was also crucial. Textile manufacturing was sped up as a result.