Patna: In a rare and hands-on move, S Siddharth, a senior IAS officer of the 1991 Bihar cadre, immersed himself in the intricate world of handloom weaving before officially assuming his role as Bihar’s Development Commissioner. His visit to the weaver communities in Sigori, Paliganj in Patna district was more than a symbolic gesture—it was a deliberate effort to grasp the pulse of one of Bihar’s oldest and most labor-intensive industries. This engagement underscores the urgent need to address the challenges faced by handloom artisans, revitalize production, and explore export potential, offering a glimpse into Siddharth’s vision for inclusive development.
The Man Behind the Mission
S Siddharth, a seasoned bureaucrat with a PhD in Information Technology from IIT Delhi, is known for his intellectual rigor and diverse talents, including wildlife photography, piloting, painting, and cartooning. His career spans transformative roles, notably as Additional Chief Secretary in Bihar’s Education Department, where he introduced digital monitoring systems and surprise video-call inspections to enhance accountability in rural schools. Now, as Development Commissioner, Siddharth is poised to steer Bihar’s growth agenda, with a clear focus on infrastructure, education, and the revival of traditional industries like handloom.
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On the Ground with Weavers
Siddharth’s visit to Sigori was an immersive exploration of the handloom ecosystem. He observed artisans at work, from threading traditional looms to dyeing vibrant fabrics, and engaged in candid conversations about their struggles. The artisans, primarily from marginalized communities, highlighted critical issues: escalating raw material costs, with cotton and silk prices rising by 20-30% in the past five years, limited access to modern marketing platforms, declining demand due to competition from power looms and imported textiles, and inadequate government support. These challenges threaten the livelihoods of over 100,000 handloom artisans across Bihar’s key clusters in Bhagalpur, Gaya and Patna.
The State of Handloom Artisans and Production
Bihar’s handloom sector is a cultural cornerstone, renowned for its Bhagalpuri silk (Tussar and Mulberry), Madhubani-printed textiles, and intricate cotton weaves. Yet, the industry is at a crossroads. According to a 2023 report by the Ministry of Textiles, Bihar’s handloom sector employs approximately 1.2 lakh weavers and allied workers, contributing ₹1,500 crore annually to the state’s economy. However, production has stagnated due to outdated looms, lack of design innovation, and weak market linkages. Export potential remains underexplored, with only 5% of Bihar’s handloom products reaching international markets, primarily through intermediaries who retain significant profits.
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The handloom sector in Bihar is predominantly rural, with 90% of artisans operating from home-based looms. A 2022 survey by the Directorate of Handlooms and Textiles, Bihar, revealed stark realities. Over 60% of artisans earn less than ₹5,000 per month, below the state’s minimum wage threshold. Women, who constitute 70% of the workforce, face additional challenges like limited access to credit and training. The price of raw silk has surged from ₹3,500/kg in 2020 to ₹5,000/kg in 2025, driven by supply chain disruptions and reliance on imports from China. Most looms are traditional pit looms, requiring 10-12 hours to produce a single saree. Modernization efforts, such as the introduction of frame looms under the National Handloom Development Programme, have reached only 15% of artisans. While e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart have onboarded some cooperatives, only 10% of artisans benefit from digital sales due to low awareness and lack of digital literacy.
Despite these challenges, Bihar’s handloom products have a niche global appeal, particularly Bhagalpuri silk, which is exported to markets in the Middle East, Europe, and the US. In 2024, handloom exports from Bihar were valued at approximately ₹75 crore, a fraction of Tamil Nadu’s ₹2,000 crore or Uttar Pradesh’s ₹1,500 crore. Limited branding, inconsistent quality, and lack of export-oriented cooperatives hinder Bihar’s competitiveness.
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Policy and Reform on the Horizon
Siddharth’s hands-on approach signals a potential shift in policy focus. His interactions align with existing schemes like the Integrated Weavers Development Scheme, which emphasizes skill upgradation, loom modernization, and market linkages. Potential reforms under his leadership could include establishing state-run silk and cotton banks to stabilize prices for artisans, expanding partnerships with e-commerce platforms, and creating a dedicated Bihar Handloom portal to connect artisans directly with buyers.
Setting up Handloom Export Promotion Councils in Bhagalpur and Gaya to streamline certifications, such as GI tags, and facilitate direct exports is another possibility. Scaling up training programs under the Samarth Scheme to teach artisans contemporary designs and digital marketing could further strengthen the sector. A quantifiable target could be to double Bihar’s handloom exports to ₹150 crore by 2027, leveraging the state’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products like Bhagalpuri silk and Madhubani textiles. This would require an investment of ₹200 crore over three years for loom upgrades, marketing, and export infrastructure, potentially creating 50,000 additional jobs.
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Navigating Rumors and Retirement
Earlier in 2025, Siddharth’s application for Voluntary Retirement Service (VRS) sparked rumors of a political pivot, with speculations of a JD(U) candidacy. He swiftly refuted these claims, issuing legal notices to media outlets for defamation and reaffirming his commitment to civil service until his retirement in November 2025. His focus remains on governance, with handloom revitalization as a key pillar of his developmental vision.
A Roadmap for Bihar’s Handloom Future
Siddharth’s engagement with weavers reflects a leadership style rooted in empathy and pragmatism, contrasting with top-down bureaucratic norms. His priorities as Development Commissioner—reviving artisanal industries, improving infrastructure, and enhancing education—could transform Bihar’s handloom sector into a sustainable economic driver. However, challenges loom: Can policies bridge the gap between artisans and global markets? Will investments match the scale of ambition needed to compete with states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat? For now, Siddharth’s immersion in the weavers’ world weaves a narrative of hope, credibility, and a commitment to inclusive growth.
