Question : PROMOTION OF HANDICRAFTS SECTOR

(a) the details of financial assistance granted by the Government under various schemes for development /promotion and upliftment of handicrafts in each State particularly in Gujarat during the last two years and the current year;

(b) the details of handicraft products exported during the last two years and the current year and quantum of foreign exchange earned by such exporters;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any study/survey for the development of Handicrafts in order to make it employment oriented;

(d) if so, the outcome thereof and the roadblocks identified by the Government in the development of this sector; and

(e) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to formulate a comprehensive scheme for development of the handicrafts products in the country as well as for promotion of their exports?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. PANABAAKA LAKSHMI)

(a): The details of financial assistance released by the government under various schemes for development /promotion and upliftment of handicrafts in each state including the State of Gujarat during the last two years and current years is as per Annexure-I attached.

(b): The handicrafts products exported during the last two years and the current year include: handknotted carpets and other floor covering; art metal ware; wood wares; hand printed textiles scares; embroidered & crocheted goods; shawls as art ware; Zari & Zari goods; imitation jewellery and other misc. handicrafts items. The foreign exchange earned thereon during the above period is as under:-

Sl.No.	Year	Foreign exchanged earned

1.	2009-10	Rs.11224.27 Crores

2.	2010-11	Rs.13526.66 Crores

3.	2011-12	Rs.7820.04 Crores	(upto Oct.,2011)