Lok Sabha Question No. 5635 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-26
Subject: Income of the Artisans of Handicrafts
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: V. Kalanidhi

## INCOME OF THE ARTISANS OF HANDICRAFTS

## 5635.   DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:

## Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has been implementing any scheme for enhancing the income of the artisans of handicrafts  in the current year, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the measures  taken by the Government for the capacity building of artisans so as to upgrade their skills?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( श्रीमती स्मृ तत ज़ूबिन इरानी )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a): Yes Sir, the Government implements various schemes for enhancing the income of artisans and overall development of handicrafts sector under 'National Handicraft Development Programme' (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) in various parts of the country.

The NHDP has following components:

- (i) The  Scheme  'Ambedkar  Hastshilp  Vikas  Yojana  (Base  Line  Survey  &  Mobilization  of artisians)' aims  to promote  Indian  handicrafts by  developing  artisans' clusters into professionally managed and self-reliant community enterprise on the principles of effective member participation and mutual cooperation.
- (ii) The Scheme 'Design & Technology Up gradation' aims to upgrade artisans skills through development of innovative designs and prototypes products for overseas market, revival of endangered crafts and preservation of heritage etc.
- (iii)The Scheme 'Human Resource Development' has been formulated to provide qualified and trained workforce to the handicraft sector.
- (iv) The Scheme 'Direct Benefit to Artisans' envisages welfare measures like Health and Life insurance, recognition, extending credit facilities, supply of modern tools and equipment to the artisans etc.
- (v) The Scheme 'Infrastructure and Technology Support' aims to development of world class infrastructure  in  the  country  to  support  handicraft  production,  and  enhance  the  product quality and cost to enable it to compete in the global market.
- (vi) The Scheme 'Research and Development' was introduced to conduct surveys and studies of important crafts and make in-depth analysis of specific aspects and problems of Handicrafts in order to generate useful inputs to aid policy planning and fine tune the ongoing initiatives.
- (vii) The Scheme 'Marketing Support & Services' was introduced to promote and provide financial assistance is provided  to artisans to participate in domestic and international craft exhibitions/seminars  in  metropolitan  cities/state  capitals  /  places  of  tourist  or  commercial interest/other places.

The CHCDS has two components namely Mega Cluster & Special projects under Integrated Development and Promotion of Handicraft (IDPH):

- (i) Mega  cluster  approach  is  a  drive  to  scale  up  the  infrastructural  and  production  chain  at Handicrafts clusters. The  prospects of this sector lie in infrastructural upgradation, modernization of the machinery and product diversification and Innovative manufacturing as  well  as,  furthered  by  brand  building  of  the  native  products  hold  the  key  to  creating  a niche market for the products manufactured by the clusters
- (ii) Special  projects  under  Integrated  Development  and  Promotion  of  Handicraft  (IDPH)  was introduced  to  provide  adequate  infrastructure  for  production,  value  addition  and  quality assurance  for  handicrafts  and  to  develop  handicrafts  as  a  sustainable  and  remunerative livelihood option for artisans in the state.

(b): The  Government  is  implementing  Human  Resource  Development  (HRD)  Scheme  for  the capacity  building  of  artisans  to  upgrade  their  skill.    This  scheme  has  been  formulated  to  provide qualified and trained workforce to the handicraft sector. This workforce shall contribute to a strong production  base  leading  to  production  of  high  quality  products  that  cater  to  present  day  market requirements. This scheme also aims to create human capital for the sector in terms of trained cadre of designers for the handicrafts by providing relevant inputs through its components. There is also a provision made for the imparting soft skill considered necessary for the artisans to enable them to undertake their own business successfully.

The scheme has the following  components:

- (i) Training through established institutions.
- (ii) Handicrafts training Programme.
- (iii) Training through Guru Shishya Parampara.
- (iv) Training of the trainers.
- (v) Design Mentorship and Apprentice Programme.

In addition to above, the Government of India, Ministry of Textile has launched Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS) and named it SAMARTH scheme . SAMARTH is a flagship skill  development  scheme  to  provide  demand-driven,  placement  oriented  skilling  programme  to incentivize  of  the  scheme  to  promote  skilling  and  skill  up-gradation  in  the  traditional  sectors through respective sectoral divisions/organizations of Ministry of Textiles; and to provide livelihood to all sections of the society across the country. The scheme would target to train 10 lakh persons over a period of 3 years with an estimated budget of 1300 Cr. and with the participation of Textile industry, institutions/organizations of the Ministry of Textile/State Government.

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