‘PM Silai Machine Yojana’ comes as a relief to ailing local industry

The Prime Minister Free Silai Machine Yojana 2025 has come as a breather for the local sewing machine industry and will work as a ‘Sanjeevani Booti’ to the ailing local industry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced Free Silai Machine Yojana to encourage women to work. Under this yojana, 50,000 women will be provided free sewing machines from every states of the country.

Since Ludhiana is one of the biggest producer of sewing machines in the country, it will prove beneficial for the local industry and is already looking forward towards participating in the tender process. The best part of this scheme is that only the machines ‘Made in India’ will be distributed. The yojana is to provide opportunities for women to participate in income-generating activities from their homes.

With the inflow of Chinese sewing machines in large quantity, the local industry is continuously on the decline from the past few years and its production has also reduced by 50 per cent of its capacity. Pegged at Rs 750 crore, five years back, it has now reduced to Rs 350 crore. There are approximately around 450 sewing machine units in Ludhiana, while the number five years ago was 600 units. Amid such a crisis, it is hopeful that this scheme will give fresh lease of life to the crumbling sewing machine industry.

Jagbir Singh Sokhi, chairman of Sewing Machine Development Club, said this is a welcome step taken by the government and will encourage the local industry.

“The local industry is suffering a lot due to influx of used Chinese sewing machines and this scheme has come as a ray of hope for Ludhiana’s traditional sewing machine industry. For more profitability, it would have been better if the small industry got together and form a cluster and participate in the tender process. But either way, individually or collectively, this scheme will surely bring business to the local industry,” said Sokhi.

Sanjeev Kansal, a small-scale sewing machine manufacturer, said he came to know about the scheme and is hopeful of getting some orders too. “If a corporate house gets the tender, it will further give orders to the small manufactures for procuring the machines. Profitability will be little less for the small manufacturers but the industry is already on its last legs and we are looking for work,” he said.

This scheme’s objective is to promote self-employment and financial autonomy among women, allowing them to sustain their families and elevate their socio-economic standing.

Free Silai Machine Yojana is to facilitate opportunities for women to participate in income-generating activities from their homes. Applicants age should between 20 and 40 years old. Women who are interested can apply online under this yojana.