Question : Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana

(a) whether the Government is implementing Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY), if so, the details thereof along with the outcome achieved since its inception;

(b) the number of projects sanctioned and completed under AHVY during the last three years, State-wise including Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu;

(c) the number of clusters and artisans covered and benefited under the scheme;

(d) the number of operational craft clusters in the country including in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu along with the number of craftsmen operating in the said clusters;

(e) whether lack of financial assistance and other assistance has hampered the setting up of craft clusters, if so, the details thereof and the remedial measures taken in this regard; and

(f) whether the Government has evaluated the sick and closed down clusters and their financial condition and if so, the details and the outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d): Yes Sir, the Government launched the Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) in the year 2001-2002 with a view to mobilize the artisans into Self Help Groups thrift and credit, training of Self Help Groups on various aspects of forming and running the community business enterprises for self sustainability of artisans. The Government implemented 2013 projects under AHVY scheme and 62195 SHGs was formed across the country for benefiting 913326 cluster artisans.

During the last three years, the Government implemented 335 projects under AHVY scheme and 12897 SHGs has formed across the country for benefiting 163118 cluster artisans where 8 number project in Maharashtra and 01 number in Tamil Nadu implemented and 5000 artisans were benefited (4800 in Maharashtra & 200 in Tamil Nadu). Currently, the Government has identified 65 clusters across the country for adoption under mentorship development programme with a view to transform these clusters in a time period of 3 years by ensuring self-sustainment of the Self Help Groups/artisans of these clusters. The details of Project Sanctioned, State wise during the last three years is attached in Annexure-I.

(e): No Sir.

(f): Yes, Sir. Evaluations have been done across the country to assess the cluster activities for remedial solution towards development artisans. As per the recommendation in the evaluation report, the Government organized Hastkala Sahyog Shivirs at more than 300 places all over the country for providing Aadhaar linked Pahchan card, marketing facilities, facilitating to artisans through Mudra loan and enrolment of artisans under Pradhan Mantri Jeeven Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana & Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana for the welfare of artisans during the Hastkala Sahyog Shivirs.