Lok Sabha Question No. 784 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-02
Subject: Convergence of SFURTI Scheme
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 784 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2021

## CONVERGENCE OF SFURTI SCHEME

## 784. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of SFURTI clusters in terms of market linkages and profitability and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether there is any weightage to certain States or regions while approving proposals under the SFURTI scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  converge  the  SFURTI  scheme  with  other welfare schemes such as banking schemes, health insurance etc.;
- (d) the  detailed  process  to  determine  minimum  wages in  SFURTI scheme  and  whether there are any efforts made by the Government to raise the same; and
- (e) the  tentative  timeline  between  approval  of  proposals,  disbursement  of  funds  and inauguration of clusters and whether there is any current delay between any of the stages and if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI NARAYAN RANE)

- (a): Yes,  Ministry  conducts  regular  assessment  of  the  functional  SFURTI  clusters  in respect of their profitability and marketability through during various review meetings, visits to  clusters  and  3 rd party  evaluation,  etc.  Based  on  the  same,  it  has  been  observed  that marketability and profitability of the clusters require special support due to the COVID 19 pandemic.  To  ensure  the  same,  the  Ministry  has  taken  various  initiatives  like  training  on design development and product diversification to cater to the market demand, encouraging linkages with e-commerce portals, etc.
- (b): SFURTI scheme is applicable across the country. However, to expand the reach of the scheme across the country, special focus is given on proposals received from districts without an approved SFURTI cluster and Aspirational districts.
- (c): Yes, Ministry encourages the convergence of the SFURTI scheme with other welfare schemes  of  Ministries/Departments  of  Central  and  State  Government.  The  Implementing Agencies of the clusters are already required to open bank accounts and provide General and Health Insurance to all artisans.
- (d): No,  minimum  wage  for  artisans  has  not  been  specified  under  SFURTI.  However, Ministry takes necessary initiatives under the scheme to upskill the traditional artisans and provide them with infrastructural support to add value to their products, thereby increasing their income in a sustainable manner.
- (e): The  timeframe  for  functionalization  of  a  SFURTI  cluster  since  its  approval  is  12 months for a Regular cluster (up to 500 artisans) and 18 months for a Major cluster (more than  500  artisans).  Ministry  takes  regular  review  of  the  clusters  under  implementation  to ensure the timeline for functionalization of clusters are adhered to.

*****