2. BACKGROUND
The tradition of making handicrafts and weaving by hand
constitutes one of the richest and most vibrant aspects of the
Indian cultural heritage.
Handloom and Handicrafts sector provides low cost, green
livelihood opportunities to millions of families, supplements
incomes in seasons of agrarian distress, checks migration and
preserves traditional economic relationships.
Women contribute to the majority of pre- and post-loom
labour and account for over 50% of artisans.
A significant mass of weavers/artisans belong to the Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes and religious minorities.
3. .
The Handlooms & Handicrafts sectors also represent the
economic lifeline. Handlooms sector, with 23.77 lakh
handlooms, provides employment to 43.31 lakh persons,
whereas Handicrafts sector provides employment to 68.86
lakh crafts persons.
For 12th Five Year Plan period, Government has undertaken
steps to preserve this invaluable heritage.
5. 12th Plan Interventions for Handloom
Marketing, Exports, Brand Building and Promotion of
Handloom Products— Marketing Events; Urban Haats; Retail
Outlets; Strengthening of Handloom Organizations; Marketing
Incentive Component; International Fairs and Exhibitions; and
Export Projects.
Infrastructure and Cluster Model—Consolidation of existing
Clusters; New Clusters/Projects; Will include Group Projects/
State-specific Projects and Innovative ideas; New component
of Margin Money support.
Raw Material Availability—Yarn to be supplied, including
supplies under 10 per cent Hank Yarn Price Subsidy and
increased freight/Depot charges for NE States; Depots to take
up distribution of dyes and chemicals also; Depot-cum-
Warehouse for Supply of smaller quantities of yarn.
6. .
Credit Availability—Credit Guarantee and Interest Subvention
to weavers against targeted credit.
Social Welfare Measures/Environmental Compliance—Health
Insurance Scheme and Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana;
Environmental Compliance Projects; Solar lighting; Looms
improvement and better ergonomics.
Training, HRD, R&D and Technical Processes—Improvement in
infrastructure and machinery in existing WSCs and IIHTs;
Introduction of degree courses; R&D Projects; Revival and
documentation of languishing handloom crafts.
North Eastern Region—Umbrella scheme for greater
flexibility; conversion of domestic handloom units into
Minimum Economic Size (MES) commercial units.
8. 12th Plan Interventions for Handicrafts Sector
Babasheb Ambedker Hastshilp Vikas Yojna: Consolidation of
clusters by strengthening existing skills, harnessing design
development efforts; New clusters preferably in PPP mode.
Design and Technology Up-gradation Scheme: Introduction
and dissemination of new Designs; Development of Innovative
Technologies/Technical Processes; Showcasing of Prototypes in
Exhibitions as well as online.
Marketing Support and Services Scheme: Initiation of new
consumer awareness scheme for increasing domestic sales;
Introduction of national level events; Brand promotion;
Domestic Exhibitions and International Exhibitions/events.
Human Resource Development Scheme: Introduction of Craft
Training Programmes in design, technology, marketing and
management through recognized institutions and universities.
9. .
Handicrafts Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme: Modified Rajiv
Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima and Janashree Bima Yojana; Credit
Guarantee/Interest Subvention; Cards to new Artisans.
Research and Development Scheme: Completion of Handicrafts
Census; Studies on languishing crafts; Occupational Health and
Safety Issues; Special advocacy efforts for benefit of artisans.
Infrastructure and Technology Development Scheme (New):
Strengthening of Raw Material Depots/CFCs as well as opening of
new ones; establishment of Mini Haats/Urban Haats; Construction
of warehouses; Handicraft Museums.
Special Package for NER (New): Capacity development; Setting up
State Initiative Design Centre/International Craft Complex; Raw
Material and Design Banks; Marketing Extension activities.
