Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Promotion of Handicraft Products
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Abdul Khaleque

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## PROMOTION OF HANDICRAFT PRODUCTS

## *152.  SHRI ABDUL KHALEQUE:

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

- (a) the details of steps undertaken by the Government to popularise the use of handicrafts, ethnic jewellery, jute products, etc. across the country and abroad;
- (b) whether the Government is considering to establish a state of the art facility in North East to promote the sector which will also attract both artists from across the country and buyers from within and outside the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government feels that such a state of the art facility will not only promote the sector but also increase business opportunity, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  details  of  the  total  amount  of  fund  spent  to  promote  the  sector  during  the  last  five years, year-wise?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री पीयूष गोयल )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (d):A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT  REFFERED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (A)  TO  (D)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *152  FOR  ANSWER  ON  13.12.2023  BY  SHRI  ABDUL KHALEQUE REGARDING PROMOTION OF HANDICRAFT PRODUCTS.

- (a): The Ministry of Textiles is implementing two schemes namely National Handicrafts Development  Programme  (NHDP)  and  Comprehensive  Handicrafts  Cluster  Development  Scheme (CHCDS) for development and promotion of handicrafts. The above schemes include intervention to improve  the  quality  of  the  work  and  income  of  artisans  by  providing  marketing  support,  skill development, cluster development, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructural and technology support, research and development support for cluster and individual artisans. 31.32 lakh artisans have been issued  Pahchan  cards  under  the  schemes  over  the  last  ten  years  and  1.53  lakh  artisans  have  been trained  in  various  crafts  in  16  mega  and  562  small  clusters  across  the  country.  Moreover,  98 infrastructure  projects  have  also  been  completed  and  2300  marketing  events  benefitting  1,42,047 artisans have been conducted across the country.

In addition to above, National Jute Board implements National Jute Development Programme (NJDP) for  popularizing  the  jute  sector.  26  Jute  retail  outlets  have  been  opened  for  the  jute  diversified products, development of Jute Mark Logo, financial support for international fairs/ delegation is given to popularize jute in domestic and international market.

- (b) & (c ): Under National Handicrafts Development Programme various infrastructural projects such as  Common  Facility  Center,  Raw  Material  Depot,  Urban  Haat,  Emporia,  Marketing  and  Sourcing Hub,  Craft  based  Resource  Center,  Testing  Laboratory  etc.  are  being  implemented  to  ensure  the availability and support of latest technology and infrastructure to the handicraft sector in North East. For attracting domestic and international buyers, grants-in-aid is provided to eligible implementing agencies  for  organizing  various  domestic  as  well  as  international  marketing  events  to  increase business opportunities to the artisans. Need based support has also been provided to 151 clusters in NER since 2014-15 under the handicraft schemes.

In  addition  to  the  above,  the  North  Eastern  Handicrafts  and  Handloom  Development  Corporation Limited (NEHHDC), under Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region also working for the promotion  and  development  of  handicrafts  and  handlooms  of  the  North  Eastern  Region  of  India. NEHHDC is implementing the Ashtlaxmi Haat & Experience Centre at Garchuk, Guwahati with a project cost of ₹ 7.6 Crores for providing a dedicated platform for artisans of NE states to showcase and sell their exquisite products. It will boost Northeastern Crafts and Tourism.

- (d): The total amount spent for the promotion and development of handicrafts sector by the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and National Jute Board under Ministry of Textiles during the last five years is as under:

| Amount (₹ in Crores)   | Amount (₹ in Crores)   | Amount (₹ in Crores)   | Amount (₹ in Crores)   |
|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
| S. No.                 | Year                   | Ministry of Textiles   | Ministry of Textiles   |
|                        |                        | O/o DC(Handicrafts)    | National Jute Board    |
| 1.                     | 2018-19                | 114.64                 | 45.56                  |
| 2.                     | 2019-20                | 157.98                 | 43.15                  |
| 3.                     | 2020-21                | 181.51                 | 30.57                  |
| 4.                     | 2021-22                | 293.60                 | 44.75                  |
| 5.                     | 2022-23                | 274.95                 | 52.52                  |