Lok Sabha Question No. 1497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Handicraft Artisans Registered under Pehchan Card Scheme
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## HANDICRAFT ARTISANS REGISTERED UNDER PEHCHAN CARD SCHEME

1497. SHRI NAVASKANI K: SHRI SELVAM G: SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

(a) the number of Handicraft Artisans registered under Pehchan Card Scheme during the last three years in the State of Tamil Nadu;

(b) the details of benefits and entitlements available to handicraft artisans holding Pehchan Cards under various schemes of the Ministry of Textiles;

(c) whether Pehchan Card holders receive preference in accessing skill development programmes, design training, marketing support, credit facilitation, and health/life insurance under these schemes;

(d)  the  number  of  handicraft  artisans  who  have  benefited  from  the  National  Handicraft  Development Programme, Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme, and other schemes implemented by the Government during the last five years and the current year;

(e)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  impact  assessment  or  beneficiary  feedback  survey regarding the effectiveness of the above schemes in enhancing the livelihood and welfare of artisans; and (f) if so, the key findings and remedial steps taken based on such assessments?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

(a): Under Pehchan card initiative, the number of artisans registered in the state of Tamil Nadu is as under:

| Year               |       | 2022-232023-242024-25   | Total (in last 3 years) (   | Total till June 2025)   |
|--------------------|-------|-------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------|
| Artisan registered | 5,356 | 3,219                   | 14,174                      | 84,311                  |

(b): The  Office  of  the  Development  Commissioner  (Handicrafts)  under  the  aegis  of  Ministry  of Textiles implements two schemes namely National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive  Handicrafts  Cluster  Development  Scheme  (CHCDS)  for  overall  development  and promotion of handicrafts sector across the country. Under these schemes, need based financial assistance is  provided for end-to-end support to the artisans through marketing events, skill development, cluster development, formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructural and technology support and research & development support which benefit the traditional crafts and artisans throughout the country.

(c): Only pehchan card holders are eligible for getting the benefits under the schemes run by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).

(d): During the last five years artisans benefitted under the NHDP & CHCDS Scheme and the Samarth Scheme of the Ministry of Textiles is as under:

| Year               | 2020-21   | 2021-22 2022-23   | 2023-24 2024-25                        | 2025-26 (Till June 2025)   | Total         |
|--------------------|-----------|-------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------|
| Artisan benefitted |           |                   | 95,2841,48,3581,20,1641,05,1441,02,601 |                            | 7,8365,79,387 |

(e): Yes,  one  study  namely  'Beneficiaries  sentiments  survey  of  schemes  and  initiatives'  was conducted by Ministry of Textile, Government of India for all its schemes. NHDP & CHCDS were also included in this study. The study covered the  multifaceted impact of schemes on the beneficiaries.

(f): The Key findings of the study mentioned  that, over 70% beneficiaries reported improved income and upliftment in livelihood, over 75% suggested a tangible progress in their production standards, over 60%  witnessed  significant  increase  in  productivity  and  enhanced  production  capacity,34%  faced challenges while accessing new markets,69% beneficiaries believe that the scheme covers all relevant stakeholders  and  around  80%  beneficiaries  agreed  that  the  scheme  will  have  a  positive  impact  at  an individual level as well as on their businesses in the long run.

Based on the key findings of the above study, Office of DC (Handicrafts) prepared a saturation plan to increase  the  reach  of  artisans  to  new  markets  by  including  new  locations  in  the  annual  marketing calendar ensuring better reach grounded on various parameters to address the challenges of artisans.

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