Lok Sabha Question No. 1938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-14
Subject: USTTAD Scheme
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Rajendra Agrawal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1938

ANSWERED ON 14.12.2023

## USTTAD Scheme

## 1938. SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the beneficiaries of craft persons and artisans covered under Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  set  standards  for  documentation  of  identified  traditional arts/crafts of minorities/traditional skills and training of minority youths in various identified traditional arts/crafts through master craftsmen and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of development of national and international market linkages and preservation of languishing arts/crafts;
- (d)  the  outcomes  due  to  the  collaboration  and  implementation  of  the  scheme  through National  Institute  of  Fashion  Technology  (NIFT),  National  Institute  of  Design  (NID)  and Index of Industrial Production (IIP);
- (e) the details of the changes in revenue for the artisans due to the Hunar Haat organised in various cities; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  financial  outlay  of  this  scheme  in coming years and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): USTTAD scheme was implemented from 2015 to 2022 for targeted capacity building and  upgrading  traditional  skills  of  master  craftsmen/  artisans.  From  inception  of  the  scheme, about 21,611 beneficiaries have been trained. One of the objectives under the scheme was to set standards  of  identified  traditional  arts/crafts  and  their  documentation.  Ministry  engaged  and allocated  50  craft  clusters  to  National  Institute  of  Fashion  Technology  (NIFT)  and  National Institute of Design (NID) inter-alia for this purpose.

(c), (d) & (e): The ministry has tied up with Export Promotion Council for handicrafts (EPCH) and organised various trade fairs to facilitate  market  linkages  for  artisans  under  the USTTAD

scheme. Through these events, opportunity was given to artisans/craftsmen and culinary experts from across the country to showcase and market their handicrafts and indigenous products. This has  led  to  employment  generation  and  opportunities  for  artisans,  craft  persons  and  associated persons and has further strengthened their market linkages. 41 trade fairs have been organized at various locations throughout the country which provided opportunity to more than 8 lakh artisans to  showcase  their  products  more  meaningfully  and  enhance  their  market  linkages,  thereby providing  a  platform  to  improve  their  livelihood.  The  Ministry  has  also  engaged  National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and National Institute of Design (NID) to conduct 100+ design and development workshops and work in various craft clusters for design intervention, product range development, packaging, exhibitions and brand building etc.

(f): Ministry is now implementing a revamped and upgraded integrated scheme called 'Pradhan Mantri  Virasat  Ka  Samvardhan'  (PM  VIKAS)  for  minority  communities  focusing  on  skill (modern & traditional) development; entrepreneurship and leadership of minority women; and education  support  for  school  dropouts,  which  subsumes  USTTAD  scheme  as  one  of  the components.

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