Handloom Rebate Scheme

## Handloom Rebate Scheme, Gujarat

The Commissioner of Cottage and Rural Industries, Government of Gujarat, runs the Handloom Rebate Scheme to support the state's traditional handloom sector. It has two aims: to make handloom products more competitive in the market, and to give direct financial relief to handloom cooperatives and apex societies in Gujarat. Through rebates at different rates, the government looks to lift sales, especially in the peak festive season, and to secure a steady market for Gujarat's artisans. The scheme responds to the difficulties traditional weavers face in a competitive market, supporting their livelihood over the long term and protecting the cultural heritage tied to handloom weaving.

The rebate structure has several tiers. In notified festival periods, sales of handloom products carry a 10% special rebate for 120 days, which can raise consumer demand noticeably. Women-led cooperatives receive a higher 20% rebate during these festive days, reflecting the government's focus on women entrepreneurs in the sector. Outside the festive periods, permanent rebates apply to regular sales: 5% as the standard rate, and 15% for women-led groups, giving support through the year. This structure means both established and newer handloom enterprises, particularly those led by women, get continuing financial incentives.

The scheme also extends non-financial support. This includes distribution of e-Voucher toolkits and priority consideration for artisans in the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Below Poverty Line (BPL) categories, which places a social welfare element alongside the economic objectives.

Applications for the Handloom Rebate Scheme are submitted wholly online via the eKutir portal, which eligible entities throughout Gujarat can access.

- **New Registration:** Start by opening the official eKutir portal. On the landing page, find and select the link reading "For New Individual Registration, click Here". On the registration page, enter every mandatory detail — full name, Aadhaar Card Number, gender, date of birth, mobile number, email and a password of your choosing. After completing the Captcha verification, click "Register". A confirmation pop-up appears; check the details shown and click "Confirm" to finish. Once registration succeeds, your User ID and Password are sent to the mobile number and email address you registered (where an email was provided). - **Login and Profile Update:** After registering, go back to the login section of the eKutir portal. Fill in the User ID and Password you received along with the Captcha code, then click "Login". First-time users must complete the "User Profile" by supplying all required personal and organisational details. Certain fields carry over from your registration; make sure every field marked with an asterisk is filled in. - **Scheme Application:** Once you have logged in and completed your profile, the homepage lists schemes matching your profile. Select the "Handloom Rebate Scheme" to open its online application form, which is divided into several tabs. In each tab, fill in every mandatory field and upload the required documents, keeping to the stipulated format and size. Wherever asked, key in the document number that corresponds to each upload. Use "Save & Next" to move through the form. - **Review and Submission:** In the last tab, go over all the information you have entered and the documents you have uploaded. Correct anything that needs changing. Tick the designated checkbox to accept the terms and conditions, declaration and privacy policy. Clicking "Save & Next" produces a unique application number, shown on the screen. Note this number down, as you will need it for all future correspondence and status checks. You may also print the completed application form. - **Application Printing and Modification:** To print your application at any point, choose the "Print Application" option. If your application is sent back for revisions, a "Modify" button appears, enabling you to edit and resubmit it. - **Helpdesk and Status Check:** For assistance or grievance redressal, contact the helpdesk numbers provided or get in touch with your local District Industries Centre (DIC). To check where your submitted application stands, open the dedicated "Application Status" page on the eKutir portal, enter your Application Number and Date of Birth, then click "View Status".

Applications submitted via the eKutir portal are first screened to confirm that every mandatory field has been filled in and all required documents uploaded. The Commissionerate of Cottage and Rural Industries, Government of Gujarat, or authorities it designates, then examines each application to establish that the applicant is a registered cooperative society, apex institution, or women-led group engaged in producing handloom goods, and that prior rebate certification has been obtained.

Approval follows where the stipulated eligibility criteria are satisfied and the documentation is complete and valid. During this review, the priority given to SC/ST/BPL artisans under the scheme guidelines is taken into account. Selection here is an administrative exercise centred on compliance with the scheme's rules, not a competitive one.