CHAPTER 1: POTENTIAL OF THE RURAL CRAFTS

 India has a rich tradition of rural crafts passed down from generations.

 These crafts are a source of livelihood for many rural communities; provide opportunities for skill development and entrepreneurship thus increasing the potential to contribute significantly to the economy.

 By tapping into the unique attractions of Indian villages, rural tourism can be a source of income and employment for local communities while preserving India’s rich cultural and natural heritage.

 Rural tourism can also promote sustainable development by preserving and promoting traditional crafts and skills, supporting local agriculture and food production, and promoting eco-tourism activities.

One District One Product (ODOP)- It is a rural development program initiated by the Government of India to promote traditional industries and handicrafts in every district of the country.

 Under this program, each district is identified based on its specific product and efforts are made to promote it through branding, marketing, and infrastructure development.

 It aims to create employment opportunities and enhance the income of rural artisans and entrepreneurs while also preserving traditional crafts and skills.

 It can enhance the income and standard of living of rural communities while also contributing to the country's overall development.

• The government has identified eight Craft villages nationwide under the 'Linking Textile with Tourism' initiative to promote crafts and tourism at a single location.

• The aim of this initiative is to bring together the rich cultural heritage of India's traditional crafts and the growing tourism industry.

• The eight craft villages that have been selected under Linking Textile with Tourism initiative are as follows: Raghurajpur (Odisha), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Vadaj (Gujarat), Naini (Uttar Pradesh), Anegundi (Karnataka), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Taj Ganj (Uttar Pradesh) and Amer (Rajasthan).

• The United Nations World Tourism Organization has chosen Telangana State's Pochampally Village as one of the top tourist destinations (UNWTO). Pochampally is a village located in the Nalgonda district of the Indian state of Telangana.

• According to the Annual Report 2020-21 released by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, the exports of handicrafts from India have been growing steadily in recent years. In FY 2019-20, the exports of handicrafts were Rs. 19,171 crore, which increased to Rs. 20,151 crore in FY 2020-21 despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Rural craft industries can provide employment opportunities to people in rural areas, which can help them, earn a livelihood without having to migrate to urban areas in search of work.

• The G20 can help provide Indian handicrafts with better access to international markets. This could be done by reducing trade barriers, simplifying customs procedures, and promoting trade fairs and exhibitions.

• The G20 can work with the Indian government to strengthen the country's intellectual property laws and enforcement mechanisms, which would help protect the designs and techniques used by Indian artisans.

 

CHAPTER 2: BETTING BIG ON BAMBOO

• Known as green gold, bamboo has unlimited potential and its usage in creating ecofriendly products will do wonders to mother nature.

• Bamboo is proving to be a versatile product, which can be bent, split or compressed to make different kinds of products. As a sustainable, ecofriendly and affordable alternative to plastic, wood and even aluminum, it offers a unique value proposition.

• India's bamboo resources are the world's second largest, with around 136 species spread across 13.96 million hectare area.

• FSI, 2021 estimates shows that Madhya Pradesh has the maximum bamboo bearing area (1.84 m ha) followed by Arunachal Pradesh (1.57 m ha), Maharashtra (1.35 m ha), and Odisha (1.12 m ha).

• The total number of bamboo culms has increased by 13,882 million as compared to the assessment of 2019.

• According to National Bamboo Mission, the annual production of bamboo in India is 14.6 million tonnes only and the annual yield varies from 1 to 3 tonnes per ha.

• India is exporting bamboo and bamboo products to over 154 countries. During the year 2020-2021 (April- November), India exported bamboo worth USD 140.47 million and imported USD 107.0 million. India is a net importer of bamboo.

National Bamboo Mission:

• The restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was launched during 2018-19 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) under The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

• NBM mainly focuses on the development of the complete value chain of Bamboo sector to link growers with consumers starting from planting material, plantation, creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing, micro, small & medium enterprises, skilled manpower and brand building initiative in a cluster approach mode.

• It aims to increase the area under bamboo plantation, connecting farmers to markets so as to enable farmer producers to get a ready market for the bamboo grown and to upgrade skills of traditional bamboo craftsmen.

• The NBM has identified ten commercially important bamboo species for promoting quality bamboo plantation.

• For achieving economies of scale it is imperative that preference be given to Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs), Cooperatives, Village Producers' Organizations (VPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Cooperatives and the like.

Taking Bamboo Products to National and Global Markets

• The GeM portal has a dedicated window for registration of bamboo products as well as bamboo processing machines to add visibility in the electronic market space for government procurement.

• Along with this, more than 20 Bamboo Mandis (bamboo market place) have been approved for promotion and e-trading of bamboo.

• North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd has also created its online shopping portal for promotion of Bamboo.

• The export of bamboo charcoal would ensure complete utilisation of the bamboo waste and thus make the bamboo business more profitable.

• The world import demand of bamboo charcoal has been hovering in the range of USD 1.5 to 2 billion and has been growing at the rate of 6 per cent in recent years.

• Rising import demand is witnessed in countries like USA, Japan, Korea, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and UK at negligible import duty.

• While biochar production protocols are yet to be standardised in India, biochar from bamboo residue has huge potential for use in improving crop production and mitigating climate change in India and needs to be explored.

• Since every part of the bamboo tree can be used, the ideal has to be zero waste.

 

CHAPTER 3: RURAL CRAFTS FOR LIVELIHOOOD

• Craft means an occupation, trade, or activity requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill.

• In the rural areas, traditional crafts production is carried on simply for everyday practical use.

• Handicrafts in India are not only pleasing to the eye but have a utility as well. In Indian terminology, handicrafts are referred as, ‘hastshilp’, ‘dastkari’, ‘karigari’, ‘hastkala’ etc.

Geographical Indicators and Associated Handicrafts

• Geographical Indication (Gl) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or reputation that are due to that origin.

• Gl tagging may encourage preservation of biodiversity and knowhow of local natural resources. If supported well, it can induce a spirit of entrepreneurship. Labour intensive nature of Gl offers a potent solution to boost the employment-to-population ratio in India. It may reduce urban migration.

 

GI TAG HANDICRAFTS OF DIFFERENT STATES

S.No.	State/U.T.	Geographical Indication (Handicraft) As er GI Act 1999
1	Jammu & Kashmir	Kani Shawl; Kashmir Hand Knotted Carpet, Papier Mache, Pashmina, Sozani Craft, Walnut Wood Carving, Khatamband.
2	Himachal Pradesh	Chamba Chappal, Rumal; Kangra Paintings; Kinnauri Shawl; Kullu Shawls; Lahauli Knitted Socks and Gloves
3	Uttarakhand	Aipan; Bhotiya Dann; Ringal Craft; Tamta Product
4	Uttar Pradesh	Agra Durrie; Banaras Brocades and Saree, Gulabi Meenakari Craft, Hand Block Print, Metal Repousse Craft, Wood Carving, Zardozi; Chunar Glaze Pottery; Farrukhabad Prints; Firozabad Glass; Ghazipur Wall-hanging; Gorakhpur Terracotta; Handmade Carpets of Bhadohi; Kanpur Saddlery; Khurja Pottery; Lucknow Chikan Craft, Zardozi; Mau Sarees; Mirzapur Handmade Dari, Pital Bartan; Moradabad Metal Craft; Nizamabad Black Pottery; Saharanpur Wood Craft; Varanasi Glass beads, Soft Stone Jali Work, Wooden Lacquerware and Toys.
5	Bihar	Applique (Khatwa) Work, Bhagalpur Silk, Manjusha Art, Madhubani Paintings, Sikki Grass Work, Sujini Embroidery Work.
6	North-Eastern States	Muga Silk & Gamosa —Assam; Idu Mishmi Textiles-Arunachal Pradesh; Chakshesang Shawl-Nagaland; Shaphee Lanphee, Wangkhei Phee, Moirang Phee, Pawndum, Ngotekherh, Hmaram, Tawlhlohpuan, Mizo Puanchei -Manipur
7	West Bengal	Baluchari Saree; Bankura Panchmura Terracotta Craft; Bengal Dokra, Patachitra; Dhaniakhali Saree; Madurkathi; Nakshi Kantha; Purulia Chau Mask; Santiniketan Leather Goods; Santipore Saree; Wooden Mask of Kushmandi.
8	Odisha	Berhampur Patta (Phoda Kumbha) Saree and Joda; Bomkai Saree and Fabrics; Dhalapathar Parda and Fabrics; Gopalpur Tussar Fabrics; Habaspuri Saree and Fabrics; Khandua Saree; Konark Stone Carving; Kotpad Handloom Fabric; Orissa Ikat, Pattachitra; Pipili Applique Work; Sambalpuri Bandha Saree and Fabrics.
9	Jharkhand	Sohrai - Khovar Painting.
10	Chattisgarh	Bastar Dhokra, Iron Craft, Wooden Craft; Champa Silk Saree and Fabrics.
11	Telangana	Adilabad Dhokra; Cheriyal Paintings; Gadwal Sarees; Narayanpet Handloom Sarees; Nirmal Furniture, Paintings, Toys and Craft; Pembarthi Metal Craft; Pochampally Ikat; Siddipet Gollabhama; Silver Filigree of Karimnagar; Telia Rumal; Warangal Durries.
12	Andhra Pradesh	Allagadda Stone Carving; Andhra Pradesh Leather Puppetry; Bobbili Veena; Budithi Bell and Brass Metal Craft; Dharmavaram Handloom Pattu Sarres and Paavadas; Durgi Stone Carvings; Etikoppaka Toys; Kondapalli Bommalu; Machilipatnam Kalamkari; Mangalagiri Sarees; Srikalahasthi Kalamkari; Udayagiri Wooden Cutlery; Uppada Jamdani Sarees; Venkatagiri Sarees.
13	Tamil Nadu	Arani Silk; Arumbavur Wood Carvings; Bhavani Jamakkalam; Chettinad Kottan; Coimbatore Wet Grinder; Eathomozhy Tall Coconut; Kallakurichi Wood Carving; Kancheepuram Silk; Kandangi Saree; Karuppur Kalamkari Paintings; Kovai Kora Cotton Sarees; Madurai Sungudi; Mahabalipuram Stone Sculpture; Nachiarkoil Kuthuvilakku (‘Nachiarkoil Lamp’); Narasinghapettai Nagaswaram; Narayanpet Handloom Sarees; Pattamadai Mat; Salem Fabric, Silk; Swamimalai Bronze Icons; Temple Jewellery of Nagercoil; Thanjavur Art Plate, Doll, Netti Works, Paintings, Veenai; Thirubuvanam Silk Saree; Toda Embroidery.
14	Kerala	Chendamangalam Dhoties and Set Mundu; Alleppey Coir; Aranmula Kannadi Screw Pine Craft of Kerala; Balaramapuram Sarees and Fine Cotton Fabrics; Brass Broidered Coconut Shell Craft of Kerala; Cannanore Home Furnishings; Kasara god Sarees; Kuthampully Sarees; Maddalam of Palakkad; Payyannur Pavithra Ring.
15	Karnataka	Bidri Crafts; Channapatna Toys and Dolls; Guledgudd Khana, llkal Sarees; Karnataka Bronze Ware; Kasuti Embroidery; Kinhal Toys; Kolhapuri Chappal; Molakalmuru Sarees; Mysore Rosewood Inlay, Silk, Traditional Paintings, Ganjifa Cards; Navalgund Durries; Sandur Lambani Embroidery; Udupi Sarees.
16	Maharashtra	Karvath Kati Sarees and Fabrics; Kolhapuri Chappal; Paithani Sarees and Fabrics; Puneri Pagadi; Solapur TerryTowel; Solapuri Chaddar; Warli Painting.
17	Guijarat	Agates of Cambay; Jamnagari Bandhani; Kutch Shawls, Embroidery; Patan Patola; Pethapur Printing Blocks; Pithora Paintings; Rajkot Patola; Sankheda Furniture; Surat Zari Craft; Tangaliya Shawl; Warli Painting.
18	Madhya Pradesh	Bagh Prints of MP; Bell Metal Ware of Datia and Tikamgarh; Chanderi Sarees; Leather Toys of Indore; Maheshwar Sarees and Fabrics.
19	Rajasthan	Bagru Hand Blockprint; Blue Pottery Decorative; Kathputlis of Rajasthan; KotaDoria; Molela Clay Items; Phulkari; Pokaran Pottery; Sanganeri Hand Block Printing; Thewa Art Work.

 

 

Importance of Crafts

• Since decades, handloom and handicraft industry, part of the unorganised sector in India's economy, has been the backbone of India’s rural economy and provides employment to a significant number of people apart from agriculture.

• According to official estimates, India is home to 7 million artisans.

• Villagers inherit skills of art and craft from their ancestors and continue to produce handicrafts which have a demand not only in Indian markets but in international markets also which can fetch us foreign exchange earnings.

• The US, UK, UAE, Germany, France, Latin American countries, Italy, Netherlands, Canada and Australia are key countries that import handicrafts.

• Handicraft exports from India reached Rs. 25,706.3 crore (US$ 3.5 billion) in 2019-20.

Challenges- Major challenges posed at craft practitioners include the following:

1. Sea Change in Business Practices: Unawareness to gauge market, negligible knowledge to optimize social media to reach out to clients, nitty-gritty of digital payment mechanisms, low penetration of technology, inaccessibility of funds and poor institutional framework.

2. Stagnant Wage Growth of Artisans: Despite their superior skills, wages have not kept pace with the income growth experienced by other sectors, resulting in drifting away of younger generation from the sector. As per Fourth All India Handloom Census 2019-20, 66.3 per cent of the weaver households earn less than Rs. 5, 000/- per month.

Interventions of Government, Corporate Sector and NGOs.

1. Govt. of India, implements various schemes for development of artisans, like, National Handicraft Development Programme and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme, which emphasizes on an integrated approach for development of handicrafts in a holistic manner and aims to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the artisans.

2. The scheme has the following components: design and technology up-gradation, human resource development, baseline survey and mobilisation of artisans under ‘Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana', direct benefit to artisans, infrastructure and technology support, marketing support and services, research and development.

3. ‘Shilp Guru’ Awards and National Awards are given by Ministry of Textiles, to give recognition to legendary crafts persons, for their excellence in craftsmanship and valuable contribution to Indian handicrafts and textiles sector.

4. TRIFED is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Its main activity includes retail marketing development of tribal handicrafts and handloom products.

5. ‘Antaran Initiative’ (launched in 2018) of Tata Trusts, supports India’s traditional artisans in finding new markets and customers and addresses the challenges and to create robust livelihood opportunities to improve rural income through modern farming practices, water management, soil conservation, livestock and animal husbandry, market linkages, ‘crafts’.

Crafts and Tourism

• Tourism and crafts are interlinked. A tourist wishes to carry craft souvenirs as a memoir of their travel.

• According to the UNEP and UNTWO (2005) it is estimated that tourists spend around 40 per cent of their budget on souvenir purchases and other craft products.

• Rural Tourism engages the tourist with the local crafts people and production process. This not only increases the consciousness of the tourist about the crafts people and craft processes but also makes the tourist aware about the social, cultural and environmental challenges associated to craft sector.

• Crafts are also a part of rural tourism experience. ‘A village that values its gastronomy, its crafts and its people’, is a key parameter, to decide the award for ‘Best Tourism Villages', by United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

• In July 2022, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, announced an initiative called, ‘Linking Textile with Tourism’, where 8 Craft Villages have been selected for overall development, wherein craft promotion and tourism are being taken up with the aim of creating remunerative livelihood option for artisans via tourism.

Conclusion

Thus, artisan economy is all-pervasive and crucial for inclusion, as it mainly comprises of women and marginalised groups. It can act as a big source of livelihood after agriculture.

 

 

CHAPTER 4: FOSTERING RURAL CRAFTS THROUGH ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT (ODOP)

One District One Product (ODOP)

• Inclusive development agenda focuses on making balanced regional development and that can be achieved by various ways and means.

• The concept of ‘One District One Product’ of India is aimed to promote localised products and services to improve the standard of living of the local people and for making the presence of local contribution in nation-building.

• In India, Uttar Pradesh is the first state to implement ODOP program in 2018 with the primary objective to create a sustainable environment for the art and craft products.

• Considering the success of ODOP initiative in Uttar Pradesh, the central government has embarked upon implementation of ODOP in all the states and UTs of India, as a strategic and transformational steps towards realising the true potential of a district.

• This scheme includes both agricultural and non-agricultural products, including food grains, food stuffs, handicrafts and handlooms and other essentials.

• ODOP will help in attaining balanced regional development across all the districts of the country and will enable socio-economic development across the nation.

ODOP Initiative and Rural Crafts

• The ODOP initiative covers agricultural products, textile, other handicrafts and it was found that this initiative has a tremendous positive impact on art and crafts.

• The major goals of ODOP are:

(a) To promote and produce indigenous art and crafts,

(b) To preserve traditional knowledge,

(c) To support artisans and craftsmen.

(d) To support livelihood and employability of rural/local community,

(e) To boost exports through vocal for local, and

(f) To attain balanced regional development.

Select List of Art & Crafts and Places of Production

S.No.	Art and Crafts (Products)	Main Places of Production (City/District/State)
1	Zari (Zardozi Embroidery)	Surat, Bareilly, Varanasi, Agra, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Vadodara, Lathur, Jaipur, Barmer
2	Carpet	Bhadohi, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Agra, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kashmir, Panipat, Gwalior, Elluru. In states like West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
3	Rugs and Durries	Agra, Bhadoi, Mirzapur, Jaipur, Panipat, Kashmir, Bhavani, Navalgund, Warangal, Jaisalmer, Barmer. In states Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
4	Textile (Handloom)	Bahraich, Bhuj, Karimnagar, Patan, Varanasi, Nawan, Shaher, Boudh
5	Textile (Hand Embroidery)	Lucknow, Barabanki, Unnao, Sitapur, Rae Bareli, Hardoi, Amethi
6	Textile (Hand Printing)	Hyderabad, Machalipattanam, Varanasi, Farrukabad, Bagh, Behrongarh, Indore, Mandsar, Burhanpur, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Kutch, Bagru, Chittroli, Sanganer, Jaipur, Jodhpur. In states like Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
7	Wood (Carving)	Bhopal, Nagpur, Chennai, Madurai, Mysore, Kashmir. State like Manipur
8	Wood Inlay	Mysore, Bengaluru, Bijnor, Saharanpur. In states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka
9	Wood (Turning & Lacquer Ware)	Etikoppaka, Ernakulam, Chennapatna, Chitrakoot, Davangere, Medak, Sankheda, Varanasi
10	Stone Cravings	Agra, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Jaisalmer, Cuttack, Cuddapah, Bankura, Kanchipuram, Patna, Mysore, Rajkot, Gwalior, Puducherry, Mahanandi
11	Stone Inlay	Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Agra. State like Rajasthan
12	Cane and Bamboo Crafts	Lakhimpur, Bongaigaon, Guwahati, Agartala, Nelaghar. In states like Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura
13	Pottery and Clay Objects	Asharikandi, Bulandshahar, Bhadrawati, Nizamabad, Pune, Chandrapur. State like Assam
14	Terracotta	Several parts of India like Pottery
15	Horn and Bone Work	Lucknow, Moradabad, Sambhal, Sarai Tarin, Honawar, Gajapati, Jodhpur, Thiruvananthapuram. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Kerala
16	Folk Paintings	In states like Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh
17	Conch-Shell Crafts	In states like West Bengal, Tamil Nadu
18	Theatre, Costumes and Puppet	In states like Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Kerala
19	Metal Images (Folk)	Ujjain, Bhopal, Uttar Pradesh, In states like Manipur, Jharkhand,

 

 

ODOP Prospects and Benefits

The ODOP GeM Bazar is launched to promote sales and the procurement of ODOP products across the country. The ODOP products are showcased in the international platforms through various agencies and institutions including World Economic Forum.

The scheme has enormous benefits for the local and rural community, for different states and for the nation, which can be categorized as under:

 

 

S.No.	Particular Section	Prospects and Benefits
1	Local/Rural/Community Development	In-situ employment and livelihood; Local empowerment; Better standard of living; Decline in rural-urban migration; Empowering rural women & self-help groups; Local and grass-root development; Sustainable local income.
2	Promoting and Preserving- Art, Craft and Culture	Culture-based development; Revival of aboriginal art and crafts; Preservation of local art and crafts; Fostering of traditional knowledge; Creating awareness and owning responsibility.
3	Skills and Training	Skill enhancement and development; Promoting localised entrepreneurship & innovation; Community-based development; Skilling, reskilling, and training; Support of artisans and craftsmen
4	Nation Building	Promotion of tourism; Local to global approach; Export promotion and potentials; Source of foreign exchange earnings; Ensures inclusive growth; Reduction of inequality and poverty; Growth of MSME sector; Regional and balanced development; Contribution to national income; Contribution to the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat

 

Issues and Challenges

In spite of a lot of positive outcomes, artisan sand craftsmen are facing a lot of challenges over the years such as:

a. poor institutional arrangements,

b. lack of adequate funds, inaccessible funds,

c. ineffective backward and forward linkages for marketing,

d. low adoption of technology,

e. lack of marketing skills including marketing intelligence etc.

 

Way Forward

Thus, ODOP scheme has significantly boosted the confidence of artisans and craftsmen, and rural entrepreneurs; and their holistic approach towards life, self-reliance, and socio-economic empowerment. This initiative will certainly correct the skewed development towards urban and will foster all-inclusive and balanced regional development of the nations by empowering rural economy in particular, by addressing unemployment, poverty, income inequality, and rural-urban migration issues.

 

CHAPTER 5: PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFT SECTOR

• Throughout the civilisations, art and craft has been an integral part of the culture and lifestyle of rural communities.

• The history of Indian crafts and art is as old as the Indus Valley Civilisation and has been evolving since, with the growth of civilisations. These defining characteristics have been preserved in spite of the political and cultural influences that the region has been subjected to over the centuries.

• The different art forms developed as a combination of factors like easily available raw material, environment, legacy skill transfer, religious beliefs and local agricultural traditions.

• Clay pottery in Aurangabad village near Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh has grown due to availability of the particular clay nearby and is a source of livelihood for this village.

• The dyeing industry grew in the western part of India and saw bagru, lehariya, Bandhej, and Sanganeri block printing.

• Silk weaving is carried out across India using different varieties of Silk yarn. While most of the silk used is Mulberry, Tussar Silk is more popular in eastern India due to large scale Tussar cocoons grown here.

• Pashmina, a goat wool fabric from Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Kani Shawls, Sozni and Aari embroidery products made from Pashmina are in high demand.

• Many initiatives are taken to standardise the products, like Handloom Mark, Silk mark, India Handloom Brand (IHB) to indicate quality certification.

• Also, to protect the origin and identity of these crafts Geographic Identification tagging is being done.

Government Schemes for Handicraft and Handloom Sector:

The Ministry of Textiles is implementing the following schemes to develop and promote these Sectors across the country: -

Schemes for Handloom Sector:

1. National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP)

a. Block Level Clusters

b. Handloom Marketing Assistance

c. Weavers’ MUDRA Scheme

2. Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS)

a. Mega Clusters

b. Block Level Clusters

3. Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (HWCWS)

a. Converged Mahatma Gandhi BunkarBima Yojana (MGBBY)

b. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

c. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

 

 

4. Yarn Supply Scheme (YSS)- Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided for raw materials, purchase of looms and accessories, design innovation, product diversification, infrastructure development, skill upgradation, lighting units, marketing of handloom products and loan at concessional rates.

Schemes for Handicraft Sector:

1. The National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) has following components:

a. Base Line Survey & Mobilization of Artisans under Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana

b. Design & Technology Up gradation,

c. Human Resource Development

d. Direct Benefit to Artisans,

e. Infrastructure and Technology Support,

f. Research and Development,

g. Marketing Support & Services.

2. The Comprehensive Handicraft Development Scheme (CHCDS) has following components

a. Mega Cluster

b. Special projects under Integrated Development and Promotion of Handicraft (IDPH).

• All the above Schemes are Central Sector Schemes.

• Budgetary allocation of funds is not made State/UT-wise.

• Funds are released directly to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers and artisans on receipt of viable proposals, duly recommended by the State functionaries. Subsequent instalment of funds is released to them on receipt of utilization of previous funds and physical and financial report etc.

• The details of total funds allocated, released under Handloom & Handicraft Schemes in last three years and the current year (2017-18 to 2020-21 as on 31-01-2021) is as under:

SN	Description	Funds allocated in last 3 years & current year (Rs. In Crore)	Funds released in last 3 years & current year (Rs. In crore)
1	Funds for Handloom Schemes	Rs. 1461.18	Rs. 1167.38
2	Funds for Handicraft Schemes	Rs. 669.48	Rs. 472.82

 

 

 

UPSC MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

1. Handicraft is one of the largest employment generators after agriculture, but it has its own challenges that need to be overcome. Discuss with possible solutions and the role of government in this. (250 Words)

2. The crafts of India have a great significance on Indian tradition and have been part of its culture since ages but these crafts are on a decline. Suggest the methods which are needed for their preservation. Comment. (250 words)