Lok Sabha Question No. 2596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-17
Subject: Support for Traditional Artisans
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2596 ANSWERED ON 17.03.2025

## SUPPORT FOR TRADITIONAL ARTISANS

## 2596. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of traditional artisans in the country, including the number of artisans engaged in various crafts and the economic contribution of this sector;
- (b) the challenges being faced by traditional artisans, particularly during  economic downturns and the manner in which these challenges impact their livelihoods and crafts;
- (c) the  details  of  the  initiatives  currently  in  place  to  support  traditional  artisans  during economic downturns, including any financial assistance programmes or skill development schemes;
- (d) the  details  of  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance  market  access  for traditional artisans, particularly in light of competition from mass-produced goods;
- (e) the impact of these support mechanisms on the livelihoods of traditional artisans and the preservation of cultural heritage; and
- (f) the  details  of  any  recommendations  made  by  experts  or  committees  regarding  further actions needed to strengthen support for traditional artisans in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e) The Office of the Development Commissioner(Handicrafts) under the aegis of Ministry  of  Textiles,  Government  of  India  implements  two  schemes  namely  National HandicraftsDevelopment Programme (NHDP) and ComprehensiveHandicrafts Cluster Development  Scheme  (CHCDS)  foroverall  development  and  promotion  of  handicrafts sectoracross the country. Under these schemes, need basedfinancial assistance is provided for end-to-end support tothe artisans including traditional artisans throughmarketing events, skill development, cluster development,formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit toartisans,  infrastructural  and  technology  support,  researchand  development  support  etc. which benefit the traditionalcrafts and artisans throughout the country. Further, this office also provides necessary financial support forregistration of crafts under GI Act 1999, to give  craftsspecific  recognition  to  help  promote  and  preservehandicrafts  being  extinct  to modern technologicaladvancements.

As  ondate,  33.15  lakh  Pehchan  Identity  Cards  have  been  issued  underPehchan initiative by the Office of DevelopmentCommissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles.

In addition to above, Office of DevelopmentCommissioner (Handicrafts)also provides support forformation of Producer Company to promote rich heritage,craftsmanship and bring entrepreneurial spirit amongsthandicraft artisans.

81,276 artisans  have  been  benefitted  by  Office  of  DevelopmentCommissioner (Handicrafts) during the last three yearsthrough Guru ShisyaHastshilpPrashikshan Programme(GSHPP),  Comprehensive  Skill  Upgradation  Programme(CSUP)  and  Design &Technology DevelopmentWorkshop (DDW) under the component of SkillDevelopment in Handicrafts Sector of NHDP scheme.Financial assistance is being provided to 629 artisans underindigent circumstances by Office of DevelopmentCommissioner (Handicrafts).

- (f) No recommendation has been made by Experts or Committees in this regard.

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