Question : FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HANDICRAFTS

(a) whether the Union Government has provided any financial assistance for the development and upliftment of handicrafts in the country and if so, the details thereof, during the last three years and the current year;

(b) the details of criteria adopted for allocation of such assistance to various States;

(c) whether some States/UTs have not utilised the financial assistance and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(d) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard, State-wise, UT-wise; and

(e) whether it is proposed to provide relief package to handicrafts artisans on the lines of packages given to handloom weavers and if so, the details thereof and the other steps being taken for the development of handicrafts industry?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a): Yes, Madam. The Government of India provides financial assistance for the development and upliftment of handicrafts in the country in the form of Grant-in-aid under various schemes implemented by the Government. The details of the Financial assistance given to implementing agencies (state-wise, Scheme-wise) during the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-I.

(b), (c) & (d): Madam. The funds are not allotted to state/state Government/UTs but are released to various implementing agencies such as State/Central Handicrafts Development Corporations/Apex coop. societies/NGOs etc., as per the procedure prescribed in General Financial Rules - 2005.

(e): Madam, no relief package to handicrafts artisans on the lines of packages given to handloom weavers is proposed. However, the Government of India is implementing following seven schemes for the promotion and development of handicrafts industry on all India basis:

I. Baba Saheb Hastshilp Vikas Yojana

II. Design & Technical Upgradation

III. Marketing & Support Services

IV. Human Resource Development

V. Research & Development

VI. Handicrafts Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme.

VII. Infrastructure and Technology Development Scheme