The central government has announced the extension of the 'Samarth' scheme, a flagship initiative aimed at bolstering capacity building in the textiles sector, for an additional year. The Ministry of Textiles disclosed that the scheme, which was slated to conclude on March 31, 2024, will now continue within the original budget of Rs 390 crore. Approved by the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance, this decision underscores a dedicated effort to enhance skill development and employment prospects within the textile industry.
Structured as a demand-driven and placement-oriented skilling scheme, Samarth was crafted under the comprehensive skilling policy framework of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. Its primary goal is to stimulate job creation within the organised textile and related sectors. The scheme encompasses the entire textile value chain, excluding spinning and weaving, and prioritises aligning training programs with dynamic technological and market demands, both domestically and internationally.
Furthermore, the scheme introduces a specialised provision for upskilling and reskilling programs to augment the productivity of existing workers in the apparel and garment segments. This reflects the government's commitment to fostering continuous learning and development in the workforce. Notably, Samarth extends its support to traditional textile sectors such as handloom, handicraft, silk, and jute, addressing their upskilling and reskilling requirements.
Implemented through various partners including textile industry associations, state government agencies, and sectoral organisations of the Ministry of Textiles.
Samarth incorporates advanced features such as a Biometric Attendance System, Training of Trainers, CCTV recording of training sessions, dedicated helpline numbers, mobile apps, Web-based Management Information Systems (MIS), and online monitoring mechanisms. These technological interventions ensure transparency, accountability, and accessibility in the skilling process, making information readily available to stakeholders and the public.
