Question : TRADITIONAL CRAFT WORKS

(a) whether the traditional crafts like wood carving in Bihar are on the verge of closure;

(b) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor along with the steps taken by the Government to address the issue;

(c) whether the Government has received any proposal regarding setting up of a crafts museum in Uttar Pradesh;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the said museum is likely to be set up;

(e) whether the Government has directed the National Centre for Design and Product Development (NCDPD) and Export Promotion Council for Handicraft (EPCH) to initiate capacity and skill development programmes for artisans across the country;

(f) if so, the details thereof along with aim and objectives/salient features of the scheme; and

(g) the targets and objectives of the artisans training scheme along with the details of contribution being made by the private sectors under the aforesaid scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)

(a): No such instance that the traditional crafts like wood carving in Bihar are on the verge of closure has been reported to the notice of Government.

(b): Does not arise.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. During 2011-12 a proposal was received from M/s Ayodhya Shodh Sansthan, Ayodhya, a unit of Department of Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh for setting a handicrafts Meuseum at Ayodhya under Design and Technologly Up-gradation Scheme of the Government. A sum of Rs.50.00 lakhs was sanctioned and Rs.25.00 lakhs was released for the purpose. The time indicated for completion of the project is three years.

(e) & (f): No, Madam. The National Centre for Design and Product Development (NCDPC) has submitted a proposal to the Government for conducting 150 programmes of capacity building all over the country for the benefit of 3000 artisans/registered handicrafts exporter and producers under the Human & Resource Development Scheme (HRD) with a financial implication of Rs.225.00 lakhs. Under Integrated Skill Development Scheme, a project has been approved in favour of EPCH at a project cost of Rs.9.32 crores to provide training to 10880 artisans.

The aim and objective of Human & Resource Development Scheme (HRD) include:- To upgrade the existing skill as well as to add the additional skill to handicrafts artisans; the artisans shall get the benefits of exposure/interaction with the other courses allied to the craft; building up work force of budding entrepreneurs; awareness about the new designs and adaptation methods with the services of experienced designers and creation of skilled and trained work force etc.

(g): A target of 155 programme has been fixed for Capacity Building in the country under one of the component of HRD Scheme during 2012-13. The private sector has no role to play under the said scheme as the Government provides 100% contribution for conducting the programmes.

Under the HRD Scheme, training to artisans is also imparted under the components of training through Guru Shishya, Training through Established Institutions and Training in Innovative Designs and a target of 195, 6 and 97 training programmes have been fixed respectively for the year 2012-13. The scheme are implemented with 100% financial assistance provided by the Government.

Under Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) for integrated development of selected Craft Clusters, there is a provision for providing training for skill upgradation in one of its component for which no targets are fixed and training programmes are sanctioned on need basis. The main objective of the scheme is to increase production base and upgrade the skill of artisans. The scheme is fully funded by the Government.

Moreover, under one of the component of Mega Cluster Scheme, artisans are also provided training with the objective to upgrade the technical and managerial skills of the artisans. A target of 10000 trainee to be trained has been fixed for Srinagar Mega Cluster and 20000 each for Mirzapur – Bhadohi, Moradabad and Narsapur Mega clusters for the entire duration of the project. The contribution of the implementing partners for training component under the scheme ranges from 10% to 30%.