(a) the total number of artisans in the country including in Odisha and the number of groups in which they are working in the country including Odisha, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to provide financial assistance to such groups of artisans; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
(a): There are estimated 68.86 lakhs of artisans in the country including 1.50 lakhs artisans in the State of Odisha. 15076 Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been formed in working clusters including the state of Odisha at the block level, the details are given in Annexure-I.
(b) & (c) : The Government implements various schemes to provide financial assistance to the artisans/Self Help Groups across the country under “National Handicraft Development Programme [NHDP]” and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS). The NHDP has following components.
1. Dastkar Shasktikaran under Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojna (AHVY)
2. Design & Technology Upgradation (DTU)
3. Human Resource Development (HRD)
4. Direct Benefit to Artisans (DBA)
5. Infrastructure and Technology Support (ITS)
6. Research and Development (R&D)
7. Marketing Support & Services (MSS)
Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) has following components:
1. Mega Cluster (MC)
2. Special projects under Integrated Development and Promotion of Handicraft (IDPH).