Lok Sabha Question No. 3894 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-19
Subject: Indian Tribal Arts and Crafts
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA, RAJESHBHAI NARANBHAI CHUDASAMA, BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3894

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2018

## INDIAN TRIBAL ARTS AND CRAFTS

## 3894.   SHRI G.M.SIDDESHWARA: SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA: DR. BOORA NARSAIAH GOUD:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government promotes/proposes to promote Indian tribal arts and crafts in other countries;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard;
- (c) the  number  of  exhibitions  for  promoting  Indian  tribal  arts  and  crafts  organized  by  the Government in various countries during the last three years, country-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  number  of  tribals  benefited  from  the  said exhibitions and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the quantum of export of handicrafts/artifacts manufactured by tribals from various States during each of the last three years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

(a) & (b). Yes, Madam.  The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) which is a cooperative society registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies  Act  and  is  under  the  administrative  control  of  the  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs,  is  the organization entrusted to promote Indian tribal arts and craft.  TRIFED has been participating in 23  International  Exhibitions  in  European  or  other  Countries  abroad  in  the  past  through  Export Promotion  Council  for  Handicraft  (EPCH)  and  India  Trade  Promotion  Organisation  (ITPO). TRIFED  could  not  participate  in  any  of  international  Exhibitions  during  the  last  two  years. However, TRIFED is considering participation in international exhibitions from the next financial year for promotion of tribal art and craft.

TRIFED has also been marketing various tribal products through e-commerce portals like Amazon.com, Snapdeal.com, and eshop.tribesindia.com to reach out to the global masses.  Placing the tribal handicrafts on such portals also helps popularize them.

(c)     TRIFED has not organised any Exhibition in foreign countries during the last three years.

(d) No formal assessment has been made regarding number of tribals benefited from the said exhibitions. TRIFED  has  been  participating  in  International  Exhibitions  in  which  the  various products being sourced from tribal artisans are showcased, promoted and sold. As such, the tribal artisans have been getting indirectly benefitted by TRIFED's participation in these Exhibitions to the extent of the sales of products sourced from tribal artisan.

(e)      The quantum of export of handicraft/artifacts made by the empanelled tribal artisans of TRIFED from various States during last 4 years is given below:

|   S.No | Year    | Value (Rs. in Lakh)   |
|--------|---------|-----------------------|
|      1 | 2013-14 | 15.65                 |
|      2 | 2014-15 | NIL                   |
|      3 | 2015-16 | 3.20                  |
|      4 | 2016-17 | NIL                   |