(a) whether the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) provides skill development training, tools and equipment and also marketing support to enhance the income of traditional artisans engaged in the village industries activities in Bihar including district Gopalganj;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of funds released and utilised in Bihar including district Gopalganj for the said work?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA)
(a) to (c): Ministry of MSME, through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), has been implementing the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), since 2008-09. PMEGP is a major credit-linked subsidy programme aimed at generating self-employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector by helping traditional artisans and unemployed youth. Under PMEGP, General Category beneficiaries can avail margin money subsidy of 25% of the project cost in rural areas and 15% in urban areas. For special categories such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes, Minorities, Women, Ex-Servicemen, Physically Handicapped, North Eastern Region, Hill and Border areas, the margin money subsidy is 35% in rural areas and 25% in urban areas. The Ministry of MSME, from the year 2018-19, has been providing second loan, with subsidy, to existing, well-performing PMEGP/Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency (MUDRA) units for expansion/upgradation of the units.
KVIC is also implementing Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY) for the development of traditional and inherent skills of rural artisans in villages having the strength of traditional heritage. The scheme involves imparting advanced skill development training to artisans along with distribution of modern toolkits. The initiatives under GVY lead to generation of sustainable self-employment in rural areas and the major programmes are as follows:
1. Under Kumhar Sashaktikaran Programme, KVIC distributes Electric Pottery Wheels alongwith other tools and equipment to the Pottery artisans, for strengthening potter families engaged in pottery. Also requisite training of 10 days is provided to the artisans/ beneficiaries.
2. KVIC is engaged in the development of the Beekeeping Industry/Honey Mission with a view to uplift people living in extremely interior rural areas by introducing and popularizing modern Beekeeping and creating sustainable employment and income. Under the programme, each beneficiary is being provided with 10 bee boxes with live bee colonies and required tool kit.
3. KVIC has launched the Pilot Project of Agarbatti Industry vertical under GVY in 2020-21. Training to Self Help Groups (SHGs)/Artisans and pedal operated & automatic Agarbatti making machines are provided under the programme throughout the country including Bihar. This includes 10 days manufacturing of Agarbatti training and distribution of machines.
4. To uplift the livelihood of the leather artisans, KVIC launched the Leather Artisans’ Empowerment Programme during the year 2019-20, under which leather artisans are trained and provided tools and equipment. Further, KVIC launched the Pilot Project on Footwear manufacturing/ repairing on leather vertical in 2020-21.
5. Under Skill Development Programme (SDP) and Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme (EAP), KVIC imparts skill development training in various disciplines like bee-keeping, pottery programme, fruit and vegetable processing, bakery course, tailoring and embroidery, Soap and Detergent making, Beautician course and motor winding etc. through its training centres to the willing persons.
Performance, of the above scheme/programmes in the country as well as Bihar during the last three years and current year, is annexed.