
Samarth (Scheme For Capacity Building In Textile Sector) is a flagship skill development scheme approved in continuation to the Integrated Skill Development Scheme for 12th FYP, Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs. The industry is facing shortage of skilled workers and provides many opportunities for unemployed youth in the country who are trained in the sector.
About the SAMARTH Scheme
- The ‘Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS)’ shall be known by the name “समर्थ (Samarth)”, signifying the broad objective of the scheme to skill the youth for gainful and sustainable employment in the textile sector.
- To address the issue, Central government of India has launched Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS) and named it SAMARTH Scheme.
- The objectives of the scheme are to provide demand-driven, placement oriented skilling programme to incentivize the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors to promote skilling and skill up-gradation in the traditional sectors through respective sectoral divisions/organizations of Ministry of Textile; and to provide livelihood to all sections of the society across the country.
- The Scheme would target to train 10 lakh persons over a period of 3 years (2017-20) with an estimated budget of 1300 crore and has invited the participation of Textiles Industry/Associations registered under Central or State Government/Chambers of Commerce of Central or State Government.
Features of the SAMARTH Scheme
The scheme will broadly adopt the following strategy:
- Aadhaar enabled biometric attendance system with minimum 80% attendance for assessment
- Training by certified trainers having Training of Trainers (ToT) certification by RSA/SSCs
- CCTV recording for entire training programme and assessment process.
- Third party assessment and certification by assessment agencies empaneled by RSA
- Placement linked skilling programme with mandatory wage employment in organized sector (70%) and in traditional sector (50%) and post placement tracking for one year
- Random physical verification of active training centres
- NSQF aligned courses
- Robust MIS and real-time Scheme information publicized in Ministry of Textiles website.
- Call centre (Helpline) set-up to collect feedback
- Mobile app for different stakeholders to ease out monitoring and implementation mechanism.
- Preference given to marginalized social groups and 115 aspirational districts
- Public Grievance redressal with designated Grievance Redressal Officer from Ministry of Textiles
- Internal complaints committee to be constituted under the Sexual Harassment of women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, redressal) Act ,2013
- Funding as per common norms of MSDE
- Common branding as per guidelines of MSDE
- For self-empolyment, concessional credit under the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana will be provided for beneficiaries.
Objectives of the SAMARTH Scheme
- To provide demand driven, placement oriented National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to incentivize and supplement the efforts of the industry in creating jobs in the organized textile and related sectors, covering the entire value chain of textile, excluding Spinning and Weaving.
- To promote skilling and skill upgradation in the traditional sectors of handlooms, handicrafts, sericulture and jute.
- To enable provision of sustainable livelihood either by wage or self employment to all sections of the society across the country.
The Scheme would target to train 10.00 lakh persons (9 lakhs in organised & 1 lakh in traditional sector)
The skilling programmes would be implemented through following Implementing Agencies:
- Textile Industry.
- Institutions/Organization of the Ministry of Textiles/State Governments having training infrastructure and placement tie-ups with textile industry.
- Reputed training institutions/ NGOs/ Societies/ Trusts/ Organizations/ Companies /Start Ups / Entrepreneurs active in textile sector having placement tie-ups with textile industry.
Significance of the SAMARTH Scheme
- The SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector) is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at addressing the skill gap in the textile and apparel industry. Its significance lies in multiple key areas:
- Bridging the Skill Gap
- SAMARTH focuses on upskilling and reskilling workers in the textile industry, ensuring they meet modern industry standards and technological advancements.
- Boosting Employment
- The scheme is designed to provide employment-linked training, ensuring trained individuals secure sustainable jobs in the organized textile and apparel sector. It particularly benefits rural youth, women, and marginalized communities.
- Enhancing Global Competitiveness
- By training workers in advanced textile technologies, the scheme strengthens India’s textile sector, making it more competitive in the global market.
- Supporting Government Initiatives
- SAMARTH aligns with initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, fostering self-reliance in textile production and reducing dependency on imported skilled labor.
- Promoting Traditional and Handloom Sectors
- Besides modern textiles, SAMARTH also supports skill development in traditional sectors like handloom, handicrafts, and sericulture, ensuring these heritage industries remain competitive.
- Encouraging Sustainability
- The scheme promotes eco-friendly and sustainable textile production by training workers in green practices, reducing environmental impact.
- Strengthening the Textile Value Chain
- By developing a skilled workforce, SAMARTH improves productivity and efficiency across the entire textile value chain, from raw materials to finished products.
- In conclusion, the SAMARTH Scheme plays a crucial role in making India’s textile sector more skilled, competitive, and sustainable, driving employment generation and economic growth.
Lacunae of the SAMARTH Scheme
- Slow Implementation: The scheme has faced delays in execution, with limited progress in achieving its training and placement targets. The pace of implementation needs improvement to meet industry demands effectively.
- Mismatch in Skill Training and Industry Needs: There is often a gap between the training provided and the actual skills required by textile manufacturers. Many trainees find it difficult to secure employment due to a lack of industry-specific expertise.
- Low Placement Rates: Despite training thousands of individuals, actual job placements have been lower than expected, reducing the scheme’s impact on employment generation.
- Limited Awareness and Outreach: Many potential beneficiaries, especially in rural areas, remain unaware of the scheme, leading to underutilization of available training opportunities.
- Infrastructure and Trainer Shortages: A lack of adequate training centers and skilled trainers in some regions has limited the effectiveness of the program.
- Inconsistent Monitoring and Evaluation: Proper tracking of trainees, their employment status, and feedback mechanisms need to be strengthened to ensure continuous improvement in the scheme.
- Focus on Traditional Sectors: The scheme primarily targets conventional textile sectors, with limited emphasis on modern textile technologies and technical textiles, which are key growth areas.
Key pointers for UPSC CSE Prelims
- Launched by – Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
- Objective – Skill development for employment in the organized textile and related sectors.
- Target Beneficiaries – Unemployed youth and workers, especially women and marginalized groups.
- Implementation Period – 2017-2020 (extended further).
- Focus Areas – Apparel, handloom, power loom, handicrafts, and technical textiles.
- Training Duration – 200 to 300 hours per course.
- Implementation Partners – Industry, state governments, and training institutions.
- Free Training – With assessment and certification.
- Post-Training Employment – At least 70% placement commitment in organized sectors.
- Special Focus – Promotes rural and traditional artisans through skill upgradation.
Way forward
The way forward for the SAMARTH Scheme involves expanding skill development programs, enhancing industry collaboration, and incorporating advanced technologies in training. Strengthening monitoring mechanisms, ensuring job placements, and promoting entrepreneurship will maximize its impact. Scaling outreach to rural areas and women will further boost India’s textile sector workforce and productivity.
Conclusion
The SAMARTH Scheme plays a crucial role in bridging the skill gap in the textile sector by providing industry-relevant training. By enhancing employment opportunities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and supporting the growth of the textile industry, it strengthens India’s workforce and boosts the sector’s global competitiveness and economic contribution.