Lok Sabha Question No. 3521 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-08
Subject: Usttad Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3521 ANSWERED ON 08.08.2018

## USTTAD SCHEME

## 3521.  DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN: SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched Usttad scheme and if so, the details thereof and the aims and objective behind the move;
- (b) the total number of artisans who received assistance under Usttad scheme since the last three years and the current year;
- (c)  whether  any  assessment  is  being  made  on  the  level  of  attainment  the  artisans  have gained out of this and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has decided to add a component Usttad Samman Samagam in the existing scheme of Usttad and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  is  also  considering  to  felicitate  veteran  artisans  from  the minority communities and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a): Yes,  Madam.  Upgrading  the  Skills  and  Training  in  Traditional  Arts/  Crafts  for Development  (USTTAD) scheme  was  launched  on  14 th May,  2015  to  preserve  the  rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities. The scheme aims at capacity building and updating  the  traditional  skills  of  master  craftsmen/artisans;  documentation  of  identified traditional arts/crafts of minorities; set standards for traditional skills; training of minority youths  in  various  identified  traditional  arts/crafts  through  master  craftsmen;  and  develop national and international market linkages. The PIA has to organize training programmme which shall be supported with following activities to ensure that the desired outcomes are achieved  for  preservation  of  traditional  art/craft,  establishment  of  market  linkages  and generating  interest  among  young  generation  for  taking  up  traditional  arts/crafts  as  a profession. Detailed guidelines are available on the Ministry's website viz. www.minorityaffairs.gov.in.

- (b):  The  training  component  of  the  scheme  was  started  from  2016-17.  The  training  is imparted through selected Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs). During 2016-17, 16,200 trainees have been trained by 38 PIAs. 3456 trainees have been allocated to 216 selected PIAs during 2017-18.

Further,  Hunar  Haat  and  ShilpUtsav  component  of  the  scheme  has  been  implemented through National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC),  in exhibition format wherein opportunity is given to the artisans from across the country to showcase  and  market  their  finest  handicraft  and  handloom  products.  Artisans  from different crafts  including culinary crafts and States are selected to present their exquisite craftsmanship, refined over generations. Number of artisans who received assistance under Usttad scheme during the F.Y. 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 is as follows:

| Financial Year   |   No. of Artisans |
|------------------|-------------------|
| 2015-16          |               443 |
| 2016-17          |               352 |
| 2017-18          |               376 |

- (c):    The training component was started only during 2016-17 and the scheme is still in its initial stage for assessment. However, Hunar Haat enables the artisans to sell their products directly  during  the  exhibition  and  at  the  same  time  develop  forward  marketing  linkages with the domestic as well as foreign buyers visiting Hunar Haat.
- (d) and (e): Yes, Madam. The USTTAD SAMMAN awards for minority craftsmen have been introduced in the revised guidelines of USTTAD scheme during the year 2017. The purposes for the Awards is to honour the Craftpersons in recognition of their outstanding contribution,  craftsmanship  &  development  of  craft.  This  award  will  encourage  them  to continue with the craft in a more enthusiastic and productive manner and will ultimately encourage other to emulate them. Craftpersons belonging to Minority community residing in India and who are above the age of 30 years and are having 10 years' experience in the field of crafts as on 31 st December of previous year of USTTAD SAMMAN are eligible to apply for this award which will be 10 for each year.

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