Question : PACKAGE TO HANDICRAFTS

(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any employment oriented handicraft workers schemes in the country particularly for women and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(b) the details and implementation status of the Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana in the States including Madhya Pradesh along with the funds allocated and number of beneficiaries benefited by this scheme, State/UT-wise;

(c) the details of the procedure for payment of premium to the beneficiaries in the said scheme and the insurance companies functioning at present;

(d) whether the Government proposes to provide relief packages for handicrafts/ artisans on the line of handloom packages and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(e) the targets fixed/achieved for handicraft exports during the last three years and the efforts made by the Government to create Sector Skill Council for handicrafts and carpets along with their composition and functions?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (DR. KAVURU SAMBASIVA RAO)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 233 FOR ANSWER ON 26.08.2013.

(a): The Government of India presently implements and proposes to continue implementing following schemes with a view to help artisans including women in getting gainful employment:-
1. Baba Sahib Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY).
2. Marketing Support and Services Scheme.
3. Design & Technology Upgradation Scheme.
4. Human Resource Development Scheme.
These schemes are being implemented in all States and are composite in nature and are not gender or area specific.
(b): The Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana (RGSSBY) was launched in the country including the State of Madhya Pradesh, during the year 2006-07 with the aim to provide health and insurance cover to the artisans family.
A sum of Rs.26.15 crores was released under the scheme during the year 2012-13.
A sum of Rs.39.00 crores have been allocated under the scheme for the current financial year i.e. 2013-14.
The number of beneficiaries so far under the scheme State/UT-wise is as per Annexure-I.

(c): Under the Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana (RGSSBY) the premium is paid to the Insurance company by the Government of India and by the beneficiaries artisans in the ratio of 80:20 under General category and in the ratio of 90:10 for SC, ST, BPL communities and NER artisans. Two insurance companies namely ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company and Reliance General Insurance Company are the Implementing Agency for RGSSBY.

(d): No, Madam.

(e): The target fixed/achieved for handicrafts exports including hand-knotted carpets are as under:- (In US Million Dollars)

Year	Handicrafts	Handmade Carpets &	Total	other Floor coverings	Target	Achievement	Target	Achievement	Target	Achievement
2010-11	2200.00	2301.52	650.00	905.07	2850.00	3206.59
2011-12	2700.00	2705.66	800.00	955.68	3500.00	3661.34
2012-13	3300.00	3304.90	1050.00	1080.90	4350.00	4385.80