Lok Sabha Question No. 1183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Promotion of Phulkari Embroidery
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

## PROMOTION OF PHULKARI EMBROIDERY

## 1183. SHRI GURMEET SINGH MEET HAYER:

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any measures to preserve and promote Phulkari Embroidery in Punjab and if so, the details of financial support, skill development and marketing initiatives provided to artisans;

(b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  establish  dedicated  Phulkari  clusters  or  strengthen  its Geographical Indication (GI) branding and if so,the detaiis thereof;

(c) the steps taken to improve the welfare of Phulkari artisans including access to tools, financial aid and healthcare; and

(d) whether any collaborations with State agencies or international platforms have been undertaken to enhance Phulkari exports and visibility and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्री पबित्र मार्घेररटा

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a): The Ministry of Textiles through Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) implements two schemes namely National Handicrafts Development Programme  (NHDP)  and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) for preservation and promotion of handicraft  sector  across  the  country  including  Punjab.  Under  these  schemes,  need  based  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,  research  and  development  support  etc.  which  benefit  the  traditional  crafts  including  phulkari crafts  of  Punjab.  Total  1,910  artisans  have  been  trained,  1,040  tool  kits  distributed  and  890  artisans participated in seminar who are practicing in Phulkari embroidery craft during last 5 years.

(b): Office  of  DC  (Handicrafts)  through  NHDP  scheme  gives  preference  to  artisans  practicing  GI craft  for  skilling,  marketing  during  implementation  of  programmes.  Phulkari  craft  got  Geographical Indication (GI) in the year 2011 for the state of Punjab, Haryana, & Rajasthan. The prominent Phulkari craft clusters in Punjab are in the district of Ropar, Nawa sahar, Fatahgarh Sahib, Patiala and Gurdaspur.

To strengthen and promote GI brand, the office of DC (HC) has already setup a help desk in every field office  to  assist  enrolment  of  more  authorised  users  for  the  craft.  Special  marketing  events  are  also curated to promote GI crafts in big national marketing events.

(c): Total 1,040 toolkits have been distributed to Phulkari embroidery artisans and 09 financial aid in indigent circumstances is provided to the awardee artisans during the last five years in Punjab.

(d): Office of DC (Handicrafts) does not have any collaborations with State agencies or international platforms to enhance export of crafts as per the scheme guidelines, however this office provides financial support to the artisans and exporters for participating in international marketing events to improve the visibility of crafts under the marketing support subcomponent of NHDP.