(a) the number of handicraft artisans in the country, State-wise;
(b) the details of development/welfare programme/scheme undertaken for handicraft-artisans;
(c) whether several difficulties have cropped up in the implementation of the development programmes/schemes for artisans and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the corrective steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in reply to Parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha
Starred Question No.*117 for answer on 09.02.2017.
(a): The present estimated number of artisans in the country is 68.80 lakhs. A special Nation–wide Artisans Identity Card campaign namely ‘Pehchan’ has been launched on 7th October, 2016 to register handicrafts artisans from all over the country. The details of state-wise artisans registered so far is as per Annexure- I.
(b): Ministry of Textiles implements various schemes for promotion, development and welfare of handicrafts artisans. Recently, various schemes have been reviewed and rationalised into one umbrella scheme namely “National Handicraft Development Programme [NHDP]” to emphasize integrated approach for development of handicraft cluster in a holistic manner. The NHDP has following components:-
I. A. Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojna
(i) Dastkar Shashktikaran Yojna.
(ii) Design & Technology Upgradation
(iii) Human Resource Development
(iv) Direct Benefit to Artisans.
(v) Infrastructure and Technology Support.
B. Mega Cluster
II. Marketing Support & Services.
III. Research and Development
‘Direct Benefit to Artisans’ component envisages welfare measures like Health and Life insurance, recognition, extending credit facilities, supply of tools and equipment to the artisans etc.
(c) & (d): In the light of the practical difficulties experienced during implementation of the various scheme for the development programmes/schemes for the benefit of handicrafts artisans the following changes have been made in the “National Handicraft Development Programme [NHDP]”.
1. Design & Technology Upgradation Scheme
(i) Stipend is increased from existing Rs. 150/- to Rs. 300/- in respect of Design and Technology Workshops and Integrated Design Projects.
(ii) To include one mastercraftsman at a wage compensation of Rs. 30,000/- per month during development of prototypes and training.
(iii) Under the programme Assistance to Exporter and Entrepreneurs for Design prototype, to enhance the designer’s fee from existing Rs. 20,000/- per month to Rs.30,000/- per month for a period not exceeding six months.
2. Human Resource Development Scheme
(i) To increase the stipend from existing Rs. 150/- to Rs. 300/- in respect of Training through Established Institutions, Handicrafts Training Programme, Training through Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme.
(ii) Under Training the trainers (ToT) programme the wage compensation has been enhanced from existing Rs. 150/- to Rs. 400/- appreciating the fact that under this programme only the skilled artisans and mastercraftpersons participate as trainees who’s wage earnings will be generally high.
(iii) The eligibility criteria has been relaxed to include the State Awardees under Guru Shishya Parampara to take up training programmes in crafts registered under Geographical Indication act (GI Act) and languishing crafts etc.
3. Direct Benefit to Artisans Scheme
(i) To increase Financial Assistance to the artisans under indigent circumstances from existing Rs.3000/- to Rs. 3500/- per month.
(ii) To avail the Financial Assistance under indigent circumstances, the limit of annual income of the artisans is raised from Rs.30,000/- to Rs. 50,000/-.
(iii) To enhance interest subvention from 3% to 6 % with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 1,00,000/- at par and in parity with other sectors like Handlooms and Powerloom etc.
4. Marketing Support & Services Scheme
(i) To enhance the DA to the artisans under Domestic marketing programmes like Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, Craft Bazaar, Exhibitions, Hiring of built-up space etc. from existing Rs. 100/- to Rs.150/-.
(ii) Reimbursement of freight charges has been enhanced from Rs.1000/- to Rs. 1500/- for all the artisans.
5. Research and Development Scheme
(i) To enhance the DA to the artisans to attend the Seminars/Workshops from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 150/-