Lok Sabha Question No. 2204 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-10
Subject: Promotion of Indian Arts and Crafts
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2204 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2016

## PROMOTION OF INDIAN ARTS AND CRAFTS:

## 2204.     SHRI RAM MOHAN NAIDU KINJARAPU:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure the promotion of Indian arts, crafts and handicrafts in the world market;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government  proposes  to promote the Indian weaving  art at the International Forums and Market; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज  ् य मंरी ( स्त्वतंर प्रभार ) ( श्री संतोष कु मार गंगवार )

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) & (b): Yes,  Madam.  The  Government  has  taken  following  steps  to  ensure  the promotion  of  Indian  Handicrafts  and  Handmade  Carpets  &  other  floor  covering  in  the world market:-
1. 5% Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) Scrip on exports of Hand Made Carpets and other Floor Coverings under MEIS.
2. There  are  132  products  items  of  handicrafts  under  MEIS  and  the exporters  are  availing  the  benefits  available  i.e.  3%  on  20  handicrafts items and 5% on 112 handicrafts items as an incentive to explore exports of handicrafts items from the country.
3. 3%  Interest  Equalization  Scheme  on  Pre-Shipment  &  Post  Shipment Credit.
4. Market  Development  Assistance  (MDA)  Grant  and  Market  Access Initiative (MAI) Assistance for participation in Fairs & Exhibitions/Reverse/Buyer-Seller Meet in India & abroad.
5. Assistance provided by the Government for marketing study, branding, participation  in  Fairs  &  Exhibitions,  Buyer-Seller  Meet  in  India  & abroad etc. through Marketing and other Scheme.
6. Thematic display and live demonstration of crafts by Master Craftspersons in exhibitions abroad.
7. Brand image promotion of Indian handicrafts abroad through seminars and publicity as well as awareness programs in India.
8. Organizing Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair twice a year besides product specific shows.
9. Display  of  new  design  through  exporters  for  creating  awareness  and marketing.
10. To  provide  technological  support  to  wooden  crafts,  a  Technological Upgradation centre has been setup in Saharanpur.
11. To  facilitate  manufactures/exporters  for  developing  new  design  and finishing products Common Facility Centre have been setup in Jodhpur and Saharanpur.
12. International Lace Trade Centre is being setup in Crafts Cluster of Lace & Crocheted crafts at Narasapur, Andhra Pradesh.
13. Moradabad  Resource  Centre  is  being  setup  at  Moradabad  to  facilitate information  relating  to  business  development,  word  market  trends, marketing and publicity and to cater to the changing  tastes and requirements of international market and remain abreast with the latest development.
14. Setting  up  of  Mega  Clusters  in  Bhadohi-Mirzapur  &  Srinagar  for increasing manufacturing and exports of carpets.
15. Providing Skill Development Training for Carpets weaving.
16. Providing  financial  assistance  for  running  Carpet  Weaving  Training Centers in Bhadohi-Varanasi-Mirzapur areas for creating new Artisans/ Weavers with stipend.
17. The  Excise  &  Customs  Duties  paid  for  importing  inputs  are  refunded through Duty Drawback channel.
18. Setting up of Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) at Bhadohi.

(c) & (d): Yes,  Madam.  The  Handloom  Export  Promotions  Council  (HEPC)  is  a nodal agency set up by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India to promote exports of all  handloom  products  like  fabrics,  home  furnishings,  carpets  and  floor  coverings,  etc. HEPC  also  provide all support and guidance to Indian handloom  exporters and international  buyers  for  trade  promotion  and  international  marketing.  Recently,  'India Handloom'  Brand  (IHB)  was  launched  by  the  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister  of  India  on  the occasion  of  first  National  Handloom  Day  on  07.08.2015  to  endorse  the  quality  of  the products in terms of raw material, processing, weaving and other parameters besides social and  environmental  compliances  for  earning the trust of the domestic  as well as international customers and promote handloom in international market.