(a) : whether the Government is aware of the popularity of silver filigree of Cuttack across the country;
(b) : if so, whether there is a great demand of silver filigree in international market; and
(c): if, so the steps taken to promote silver filigree in the country and abroad in order to earn foreign exchange?
MINISTER OF SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES & AGRO AND RURAL INDUSTRIES (SHRI MAHABIR PRASAD)
(a)&(b) : Yes, Sir.
(c): The following steps have been taken to promote silver
filigree in the country and abroad by Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, State Govt.
of Orissa and Ministry of Agro & Rural Industries:
( i) Silver filigree artisans are financed under the Scheme of
Rehabilitation of Handicraft Artisans (RHA) and Rural Employment
Generation Programme (REGP).
(ii) Artisans are sponsored to participate in State level
exhibitions and at India International Trade Fair for Indian, as well to
foreign buyers.
(iii) Silver filigree is displayed in permanent show houses of
handicraft items at important cities in the country.
(iv) Design development and skill upgradation training programmes
are organized under Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hasta Silpa Vikas Yojana
of DC (Handicrafts) and State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts Bhubaneswar.