(a) whether any Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed by the National Culture
Fund with the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and SEWA for providing sustainable
livelihood to the artisans;
(b) if so, the salient features of the said MoA;
(c) whether any proposal has been submitted for providing sustainable livelihood to the
artisans;
(d) if so, the present status of the proposal; and
(e) the time by which the proposal is likely to be approved/cleared?
MINISTER OF CULTURE (SMT. CHANDRESH KUMARI KATOCH)
(a) Yes, Madam. A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed between Rural
Electrification Corporation (REC), National Culture Fund and Self Employed Women`s
Association (SEWA) Federation on 14th February, 2013.
(b) The salient features of the MoA are given below :
Objectives:
(i) To help women artisans of the informal economy achieve economic security through
traditional livelihoods;
(ii) To promote greater, acceptance and demand for local arts and crafts and
(iii) To revive and restore Design SEWA centre (a heritage building)
COST:
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 158 lakhs spread over a period of three years.
SCOPE OF WORK:
(i) Skill upgradation of the artisans through capacity building and regular refresher
trainings.
(ii) Strengthened marketing support and market linkages
(iii) Revival and restoration of the crafts centre – Design SEWA
(c) The project proposal ‘Reviving Crafts Heritage and Providing Sustainable Livelihood to
the Artisans’ has been submitted by GUJARAT STATE WOMEN’S SEWA COOPERATIVE FEDERATION LIMITED.
(d) As stated in reply to part (a) of the question, the MoA was signed by REC, NCF and SEWA
Federation on 14th February 2013. The first meeting of Project Implementation Committee (PIC)
was held on the same day. As per the decisions taken in the PIC meeting a joint Bank account
has been opened in SBI, New Delhi. REC has deposited 10% of the project cost into the joint
bank account as per the MoA. Sewa Federation has initiated the implementation of the Project.
(e) The project has already been approved.