Planning Commission

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.

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� 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.

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HANDLOOM SECTOR

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.

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� 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.

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HANDICRAFTS SECTOR

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.

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� 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.