Question : EXPANSION OF HANDICRAFTS INDUSTRY

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI BASANAGOUDA R. PATIL (YATNAL)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. For development of handicrafts industry, the Government is implementing Cane & Bamboo and Carpet Projects since December, 1999 with the assistance of UNDP. The total outlay of these projects is as under:-

(Rs. In lakhs)
Name of the Project	UNDP	Government of India	Total
Cane & Bamboo Project	465.00	450.00	915.00
Carpet Project	505.86	485.00	990.86

Cane & Bamboo Project aims for identification of suitable species for handicraft sector, its conservation, propagation and cultivation to ensure availability of right type of raw material for this sector. Design & technology upgradation, training of artisans, institutional capacity building and promoting marketing for income generation and employment opportunities are other components of the project.

Carpet project aims for design intervention for creating a unique Indian Identity, infusion of technology, training, institutional capacity building and promoting marketing and export for income generation and creation of employment opportunities.

Cane & Bamboo Project is under implementation in all the states of North East, whereas Carpet project covers all the carpet belts.