The Handloom sector plays a very important role in India’s economy. It is a part of our culture and heritage and one of the largest economic activities after agriculture having the capacity of absorbing a greater number of manpower. In 2009-101 this sector provides direct employment to over 65 lakhs persons in India of which 60.40% are women. This sector contributes nearly 19% of the total cloth produced in the country and also adds substantially to export earnings. The ratio of handloom to power loom in terms of cloth in 2009-10 was 1:5.55.