Lok Sabha Question No. 6127 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Minority Traditional Crafts in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ms Iqra Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6127

ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## MINORITY TRADITIONAL CRAFTS IN UTTAR PRADESH

## 6127. MS IQRA CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the traditional crafts covered under Central minority artisan support schemes where the number of registered master craftsmen has fallen to below hundred, State-wise and  district-wise  particularly  for  Uttar  Pradesh  along  with  the  criteria  used  for  such identification;
- (b) the number of active artisans, master craftsmen and apprentices engaged in such crafts, State-wise and district-wise particularly for Uttar Pradesh along with the reasons recorded in Ministry's reviews for the observed decline;
- (c)  the  quantum  of  amount  sanctioned,  released  and  utilised  during  the  last  five  years  for preservation, skill transmission, design development and market linkage of these crafts, Statewise and scheme-wise;
- (d) whether any independent evaluation or impact study has identified factors contributing to distress and if so, the key findings and factors thereof; and
- (e) the details of concrete, time-bound revival plan with measurable targets to prevent further erosion of these traditional skill clusters?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a) &(b): The Ministry of Minority Affairs earlier implemented the USTTAD scheme (201516  to  2018-19)  for  targeted  capacity  building  and  upgrading  traditional  skills  of  master craftspersons/ artisans. Under this Scheme, 33%  seats were earmarked for  women beneficiaries. Training was imparted to more than 21,000 beneficiaries under the scheme and 89% (approx.) of these beneficiaries were women. Besides, the total beneficiaries from Uttar Pradesh were 9,166 under the USTTAD scheme in clusters like Chikankari, Wood Carving, Traditional Embroidery (Zardozi), Munj Craft, Kashidakari and Crewel work. Further, under the USTTAD Scheme, the Ministry of Minority Affairs also onboarded Knowledge Partners of  repute  like  National  Institute  of  Design  (NID),  and  National  Institute  of  Fashion Technology (NIFT) to conduct design and development workshops for identified traditional art and craft clusters.

USTTAD scheme  has  now  been  converged  as  Traditional  Training  sub-component into  an  integrated  scheme  called  'Pradhan  Mantri  Virasat  Ka  Samvardhan'  (PM  VIKAS) which was launched in January 2025. Under the PM VIKAS scheme, a target to train 1,560

candidates  in  the  traditional  training  sub-component  has  been  allocated  to  various  Project Implementation Agencies for implementation in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Details of active artisans, master craftsmen and apprentices in specific crafts is not maintained by the Ministry. (c): The USTTAD scheme was implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, therefore, no fund allocation was made to States/ UTs under the scheme, and projects were allocated from the year 2016-17 to 2018-19 only. Further, the USTTAD scheme was later integrated into the PM VIKAS scheme along with other skilling, education and women empowerment schemes and the PM VIKAS scheme was rolled out in January 2025.

(d) & (e): The scheme has been launched in January 2025 and the training has commenced only  during  the  ongoing  financial  year.  Hence  the  Ministry  is  yet  to  conduct  appropriate Monitoring & Evaluation, including independent evaluation and impact study, as outlined in the scheme guidelines. Under the PM VIKAS scheme, the Ministry has been organising 'Lok Samvardhan Parv', bringing together minority artisans from across India and assist them to scale up 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,  taxation  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 their talent and augmentation in their incomes.

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