Lok Sabha Question No. 1668 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Implementation of USTTAD scheme in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Y S Avinash Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1668

ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF USTTAD SCHEME IN ANDHRA PRADESH

## 1668. SHRI Y S AVINASH REDDY:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  craft  clusters  identified  in  Andhra  Pradesh  under  the  USTTAD  scheme including the specific traditional arts and crafts documented and promoted in each cluster;
- (b) the details of the number of minority youth trained under the USTTAD scheme in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years, district-wise;
- (c) the details of the number of project proposals received from Andhra Pradesh for development under the USTTAD scheme, the number approved and the status of their implementation;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  and  utilised  under  the  USTTAD  scheme  for  projects  in Andhra Pradesh during the last five years, year-wise; and
- (e) the details of initiatives undertaken to enhance market linkages for traditional arts and crafts in Andhra Pradesh under the USTTAD scheme?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a)to (d): USTTAD  scheme  was  launched  in  2015  for  targeted  capacity  building  and upgrading  traditional  skills  of  master  craftsmen/  artisans.  Under  the  Scheme,  the  Ministry  of Minority Affairs onboarded knowledge partners of repute like National Institute of Design and National  Institute  of  Fashion  Technology  to  conduct  design  and  development  workshops  for identified traditional art and craft clusters. In Andhra Pradesh, two such clusters were covered under the said scheme, namely:

- i. Wooden Cutlery - Udayagiri, Andhra Pradesh
- ii. Leather Puppetry - Nimmalakunta, Andhra Pradesh

Project proposals from 04 Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) were approved and allocated 360 beneficiaries from Andhra Pradesh under the USTTAD scheme in clusters like Zari Zardozi, Clay Sculptor and others.

USTTAD  scheme  has  now  been  converged  as  a  component  into  an  integrated scheme called 'Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan' (PM VIKAS) for minority communities focusing  on  skill  development;  entrepreneurship  and  leadership  of  minority  women;  and education support for school dropouts.

(e) The Ministry had organised 41 Hunar Haats under the USTTAD scheme whereby opportunity was given to artisans/crafts people and culinary experts from across the country to showcase and market their handicrafts and indigenous products. These programmes  benefitted more than 8 lakh people including artisans, craft persons and associated persons.

Under  the  PM-VIKAS  scheme,  the  Ministry  has  now  been  organising  'Lok Samvardhan Parv', bringing together minority artisans from across India and assisting them in scaling  their  operations  and  businesses.  The  platform  offers  artisans  a  unique  opportunity  to showcase their indigenous arts, crafts, and rich cultural heritage. The event has been designed not only to promote the traditions of minority communities but also to foster an innovative and entrepreneurial environment for artisans. To enhance their skills in areas like marketing, export & online business, design, GST and sales etc., workshops are conducted by the Ministry, with support  from  the  Export  Promotion  Council  for  Handicrafts  (EPCH),  ensuring  a  holistic approach  to  empowering  the  artisans.  So  far,  the  Ministry  has  organised  04  Lok  Samvardhan Parvs, as under:

-  July, 2024 at DilliHaat, INA, New Delhi
-  January, 2025 at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi
-  April, 2025 at Convocation Ground, Kashmir University, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
-  June, 2025 at Gandhi Darshan, Raj Ghat, New Delhi

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