Question : EVALUATION OF SCHEMES

(a) the date by when the periodic evaluation of schemes for handicrafts and handloom was carried out last time;

(b) the outcome of the said evaluation; and

(c) the action taken by the Government on the basis of the outcome?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)

(a): In the Handicrafts Sector a mid-term evaluation of four major schemes was carried out. These schemes include Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY); Marketing and Support Service Scheme; Design and Technology Upgradation Scheme and Export Promotion Scheme. These evaluations were carried out in the year 2003-04.

Also a terminal evaluation of these schemes had been assigned in the year 2005-06 in respect of Marketing & Support Service Scheme; Design & Technology Upgradation Scheme & Export Promotion Scheme and in the year 2006-07 in respect of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana. The report of these terminal evaluation studies is still awaited.

In the Handloom Sector, the evaluation study was conducted by M/S. National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training (NISIET), Hyderabad between May-July, 2006 and October-December, 2006.

(b)&(c): The outcome of the mid-term evaluation of the four schemes in the handicraft sector are in the form of recommendations. Based on these recommendations, certain qualifying features have been added in the schemes such as an essential pre-condition of a marketing tie-up of the NGOs implementing the Design and Technology Upgradation Scheme; engaging Guiding and Monitoring Agencies, etc.

The study in the Handloom Sector maintained that all the schemes were beneficial to Handloom Weavers and should be continued with main modifications in quantum of assistance and reducing the state contribution etc.

On the basis of the recommendations made by the NISIET and also to make the flow of benefit to the handloom sector in a coordinated and concerted manner, the essential components of the schemes implemented during the earlier years, have been subsumed in the five schemes i.e. Integrated Handloom Development Scheme; Marketing and Export Promotion Scheme; Mill Gate Price Scheme; Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme and Diversified Handloom Development Scheme.