(a) whether Handloom Clusters Expo is being organised to showcase the finest and exclusive handloom products developed by the existing handloom clusters;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the role of each State in such Expo and incentives being given to them for organising
more such Expos in different parts of the country especially in rural areas under the XIth Five Year Plan?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)
(a) & (b): The Government of India through Office of the Development Commissioner
(Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles is implementing the Cluster Development Programme since
2006-07 in 20 handloom clusters, spread in 12 States. These clusters have participated/
organized exhibitions in different parts of the country, generating sales & orders worth
Rs. 43.52 crores. The recent Cluster Expo was organized at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from
21st to 28th December 2009.
(c): During the XI Plan, the Cluster Development Programme is implemented under a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme, called Integrated Handlooms Development Scheme (IHDS). The proposals,
under the Scheme are received from the respective State Governments, duly recommending the
Implementing Agency, the Action Plan etc. on need basis. Implementing Agency may be the
State Government/State Handloom Corporation/State Apex Handloom Weavers Co-operative Society
etc. The financial assistance for each cluster is sanctioned/released to the State Government
concerned. So far, 419 clusters have been sanctioned under the Scheme. This includes
financial assistance towards various components like; design development and product
diversification, setting up of Common Facility Centre/dye house, publicity & marketing,
basic input, skill upgradation etc. Some States/Implementing Agencies have already
organized/participated in the Expo. Under the scheme, provision of Rs.6.00 lakhs exists
for conducting three exhibitions/fairs, out of which, share of the Government of India
is Rs.4.50 lakh. Similarly, provision of Rs.3.00 lakh exists for organizing six buyer-
seller meets, out of which, share of the Government of India is Rs.2.25 lakh. Besides,
assistance is also provided towards release of advertisement, preparation of brochure &
catalogue, market survey, awareness & exposure visit, development & hosting of website etc.
The Implementing Agency can organize the Expo jointly with other clusters or can
participate in other Expos, depending upon the availability of budget, product range etc.
These clusters can also participate in the District Level Events (DLEs), which are
financially assisted by Government of India and held generally in the rural areas.