Lok Sabha Question No. 364 (STARRED), answered on 2016-08-11
Subject: Digital Market Place for Rural Handicrafts Products
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, MANOJ KUMAR TIWARI

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION N0. *364 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2016

## DIGITAL MARKET PLACE FOR RURAL HANDICRAFTS PRODUCTS

## *364.  SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  initiative  to  organise  and standardise  the  Indian  Handicrafts  industry  so  as  to  increase  its  revenue share at global level, and if so, the road map drawn for the purpose;
- (b) whether the Government has any proposal for establishing 'Digital Marketplace for Rural Handicrafts products' in the country, and if so, the details there of including the organizations proposed to be engaged for the purpose; and;
- (c) the time by which the digital market place is likely to be established?;

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंरी ( )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

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

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *364 FOR ANSWER ON 11.08.2016.

(a): Handicraft  sector  is  an  unorganized  sector  with  unique  identity  for each craft.  It is contemplated to launch a voluntary scheme for rendering quality and authenticity of handicrafts products with a view to differentiate genuine  and  socially  -  environmentally  compliant  handicrafts  products. In addition, Textile Committee has been asked to evolve a rating scheme for standardization of handmade carpet manufacturing units.

To develop and promote this sector, Ministry of Textiles is implementing various schemes with cluster and Mega  Cluster level approach.    In  addition,  various  schemes  for  development  of  Handicrafts Sector  have  been  reviewed  and  a  comprehensive  National  Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) has been approved which emphasizes on integrated  approach  for  development  of  Indian  handicrafts  industries  in  a holistic manner. The  artisans Clusters are identified, surveyed and mobilized to form SHG (self help groups) and interventions are identified and  implemented  in  a  cluster  for  sustained  development  of  the  cluster. The schemes are implemented over a period of five years. Till  now  approximately  1700  such  clusters  have  been  implemented  in various parts of the country.

Where  artisans  concentration  is  more  than  10,000,  mega  cluster approach is implemented to scale up the infrastructural and production chain at Handicrafts clusters which have remained unorganized and have not kept pace with the modernization.  Area specific interventions for comprehensive development of handicrafts in a region/state are identified and implemented in the form of special projects.

Various interventions are listed below:-

## I. Cluster Development :-

- i) Dasttkar Shashktikaran Yojna:Mobilization of artisans are undertaken  in  proposed  clusters  and  various  interventions  are identified and implemented according to the need of the cluster.
2. ii) Design & Technology Up gradation:The  objective  of  the workshop; is to develop new prototypes to suit the tastes and preferences  of  contemporary  market  using  traditional  skill  of artisans  and  introduction  of  new  techniques  and  technologies for enhanced production.
3. iii) Human Resource Development:Various schemes are formulated  to provide  qualified and  trained workforce  to handicraft sector.
4. iv) Direct Benefit to Artisans:To support the artisans and sector various  schemes  such  as  insurance,  credit  guarantee,  interest subvention, supply of tools equipment etc. are formulated.
- v) Infrastructure  and  Technology  Support:To  create  good quality  infrastructure,  also  to  upgrade  existing  infrastructure, technology various components are formulated.  Also to have good  marketing  linkages  and  platform  provision  of  Urban Haats, emporia, Common facility centres created in the scheme
- II. Marketing  Support  &  Services:Under  this  artisans  are supported to market their products at National and International markets in the form of fairs, Exhibitions.
- III. Research and  Development  (R  &  D): -  In  order  to  generate the useful inputs to aid the policy, planning and fine tune the ongoing  initiative:  and  to  have  independent  evaluation  of  the schemes implemented by the Ministry, various studies, surveys, analysis etc. are conducted under the R&D activities.

According to the provisional data available, the exports of Handicrafts have shown an increase of Rs.2414.79 crores, from Rs.28,524.48 to Rs.30,939.27 crores, an increase of 8.46% in Rupees term in year 2015-16 as compared to previous year.

- (b) & (c): Central Cottage Industries Corporation  and  Handloom  & Handicrafts Export Corporation have undertaken digital marketing.  Several State Handicrafts Corporations are also selling their products through digital marketing. A  proposal for creation of E-marketing platform under Marketing Support & Service Scheme has also been received from Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts in order to facilitate buyers and sellers to procure/sell as well as to promote products categories both in domestic as well as International Markets on-line.  The proposal was deficient in some inputs, therefore same has been sought from Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.

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