INFOKARA RESEARCH ISSN NO: 1021-9056

POLICY GAPS STUDY ON CRAFTS SECTOR IN : OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND PROMOTION OF CRAFTSMAN WELFARE STRATAGEM IN

Dr. GUGHAN BABU AZHAGESHAN Assistant Professor of History Madras Christian College (Autonomous) Chennai-59. Tamil Nadu, India. Email: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION This research article highlights the various welfare schemes introduced by the State and Central Governments for the upliftment of the artisans. The handicrafts sector played very significant role in India’s economy and employment. This unorganized sector provides livelihoods to the craftsmen in rural and semi urban areas and its generated foreign exchange. It is mainly located backward and inaccessible areas and originally handicraft started as a full time and part time activity in the rural area, but, it has now transformed into a prosperous socio economic activity due to the significant market demand. In spite of the merits this sector has many times suffered due to its unorganized nature, alone with the additional limitation like lack of awareness, investment and poor adoption to innovative technologies, absence of lack of market intelligence and poor institutional framework. To overcome these issues at present in India, the office of Development Commissioner (Handicraft) is trying to implement the followed seven schemes.

SCHEMES SPONSORED BY CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT

1. BABA SAHEB HASTSHIP VIKAS YOJANA

This scheme main objective is to promote Indian handicrafts by increasing artisan’s clusters into efficiently manages and self-sufficient crafts community for enterprise of the principle of effective participation and mutual collaboration. It is promoting handicraft products market and expansion of manufacture, huge production of heritage and languish handicrafts. It’s one of the most successful schemes and several of its components such as terms of a credit assurance, margin funds, and guidance of artisans and formation of raw

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material banks have the highest potential of providing the required impetus to the handicraft sector

2. DESIGN AND TECHNICAL UP-GRADATION This scheme aims to improve of artisan’s skill through improvement of innovative designs and prototype produce for the international market, its revival of languishing handicrafts and preservation and promote of heritage. This scheme has the following components: Handicraft awareness Program, monetary helps to supply of tools and safety equipments. New design and technological upgrading training. Integrated design and technical development scheme. National award, shilp guru award and National merit certificate for excellent contribution in handicraft industry. Support to exporters and rural entrepreneur for design sculpt. Business-related market intelligence by way of new design, style and technological colour project.

3. MARKETING SUPPORT AND SERVICES SCHEMES

a) Domestic Marketing  Marketing Events covering handicrafts fair, Gandhi Shilp Bazaar exhibition; nationwide craft fair and consumer merchant meet.  Marketing Services covering workshops, and marketing study inside the nationwide.

b) International Marketing  Advertising events covered art and cultural exchange plan, trade fair, consumer, merchant meets and involvement of entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups, association national and state honours.  Public welfare measures covering initiative to problems arise out of National and International laws.

c) Publicity  Advertising through print, electronic media, maps, website, brochures’ catalogues, and pamphlets. 4. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME The (HRDS) has been formulated to offer skilled and qualified workforce in the handicraft industry. The artisans shall contribute to a strong production base leading to high

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quality crafts that provide to present day market condition. This plan also aims to promote human resources for the industry in terms of skilled cadre of designer for the crafts by offering a relevant contribution through its components. These all the provision made for the communicate soft skill, consideration required for the craftsman to enable them to take on their business profitably.

5. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME The R and D Scheme was launched to conduct surveys and studies of important crafts and make in detail analysis of specific problems of crafts in order to promote useful inputs to support policy plan and fine tune the ongoing program and to have a free evaluation of the plan implemented by handicraft development commissioner.

6. HANDICRAFTS ARTISANS COMPREHENSIVE WELFARE SCHEME The scheme has been included in the 12th Five Year Plan as one of the major schemes with the following two main components, aimed at Insurance Cover and Health Care of Handicrafts Artisan and their family.

a). Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana Its main aims at financing facility for the craftsmen community to access to the best of healthcare amenities in the nation. This plan covers not only the craftsmen, but also any three family members out of spouse, dependent children and parents. At current this the Scheme is on hold for its amalgamation with RSBY.

b). Aam Admi Bima Yojana for Handicrafts Artisans This scheme is to offer life insurance security to the craftsmen, among the age group of 18 to 60 years old. Moreover 4038 craftsmen have been enclosed under AABY during the year 2014-15.

c). Support to Artisans in Indigent Circumstances

This scheme supported to the craftsman for the period of their old age. It’s trying to provide pension and social security and boost to the handicraft industry in India.

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d). Credit Guarantee Scheme The component is envisaged to alleviate the problem of collateral security or 3rd party guarantee and remove impediments to flow of credit to handicrafts sector. e). Interest Subvention Scheme This scheme is offered to credit access for craftsman, through initiating interest subventions for banks. It is planned that a 3% interest shall be accessible for artisans for loans taken from banks. Permissible amount is maximum Rs.50,000 for a duration of 3 years.

f). Issue of Identity Cards and Creation of Data-Base This scheme recognized for real artisans and its provide ID cards, and during the current year, moreover 36,561 Identity cards have been distributed to Handicrafts Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme an amount of Rs.5.80 crores and Rs.2 lakh artisans under the Bima Yojana respectively sanctioned.

7. INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT SCHEME  This schemes main target to the improvement of world class infrastructure in India to support handicraft manufacture, and develop the craft quality and price to enable it to participate in the world market.  To build up infrastructure in a reasonable way to support handicraft industry.  To pledge availability necessary technology, craft diversification, new design improvement, craft raw material banks, marketing and promotion facilities in nearest place.  To increase the competitiveness of the handicrafts in terms of improved market share and ensure Productivity by highest unit value realization of the crafts.  To improve the skilled artisans in the country by improving high class institutes it’s provide formal courses and degree course in Handicrafts and enhancing skillfulness develop in the nation.

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEME OF FUND FOR REGENERATION OF TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES (SFURTI) (i) Three years training Scheme in Bronze Icon making at Swamimalai (ii) Two years training in Pattern Making of Brass Lamps at Natchiarkoil (iii) One year training in Art plate in Thanjavur (iv) Three years training in Bronze Icon making under Gurukulam method

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(v) One year training in Thanjavur Painting for 100 women at Srirangam (vi) Three months training in Pattern making in Brass Lamps

TABLE: 1. THE COMPONENTS OF THE SCHEME ARE AS UNDER

Sl.No Particulars Objects 1. Social Interventions  Survey and formulation of project plan  Community empowerment through SHG  Issuing identity cards to the artisans 2. Marketing Interventions  Organizing exhibition  Publicity through printing and electronic mode  Setting up of handicrafts emporia and tours  Entrepreneurship development program 3. Financial Interventions  Margin money support  Wage compensation, credit guaranteed  Service charge for implementing agencies  Provide need based assistance 4. Cluster specific infrastructure  Established of a resource centre for major crafts Related interventions  Established of E-kiosks facility center and development of Export and Entrepreneurship  Creation of raw materials bank and common facility center 5. Technological Intervention  To supply of improved modern tools  Integrated design and technical development workshops/ seminar/seminar/ symposium  Training of artisans Source: Annual Report on 2015-16, Development commissioner of Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi, 2016.

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TABLE: 2. PHYSICAL PROGRESS MADE BY VARIOUS SCHEMES IN HANDICRAFTS SECTOR

Sl. No Scheme 11th FYP Plan 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 Targets Target Achievement Target Achievement Target Achievement 1. Baba Saheb Ambedkar 600 Cluster 120 147 120 125 120 Cluster 123 Hastshilp Vikas Yojana Cluster 2. Design and Technical 1,186 Event 220 340 197 197 237 522 Upgradation 3. Marketing Support and Domestic 1,070 E 205 487 212 212 263 289 Services International 743 E 99 59 61 61 170 63 4. Research and Development Census of Handicrafts 20% 20% 20% 20% Remaining On going District 6 Testing Lab 01 01 01 01 01 Nil 5. Human resource Training Institution 12 07 18 07 30 6 Development Guru Shishya 70 00 70 140 77 128 Parampara 6. Handicrafts Artisans 40,80,000 artisans 1 lakh 97,636 1 lakh 9.66 lakh 1 lakh 26,000 Comprehensive Welfare BimaYojana Scheme RGSSBY: 8 lakh 8.82 lakh 8 lakh 10.10 lakh 8 lakh 8.02 lakh Source: Planning Commission Report on 2012, Government of India, New Delhi, 2012.

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TABLE: 3. DETAILS OF SCHEMES ACCESSED BY THE ARTISANS IN

Sl. No Particulars Yes Percentage No Percentage 1. Artisans of Thanjavur Art Plate 16 32 34 68 2. Artisans of Thanjavur Paintings 19 38 31 62 3. Artisans of Thanjavur Dancing 11 22 39 78 Doll 4. Artisans of Swamimalai Brass 26 52 24 48 Icons 5. Artisans of Natchiarkoil Lamp 24 48 26 52 6. Artisans of Orathanadu Horse 11 22 39 78 Terracotta 105 35 195 65 Total Source: Computed by Primary Data.

Out of the 300 sample respondent 35 percent of sample respondents were accessed scheme. Out of the total of 300 samples 50 samples were art plates, 50 samples were Thanjavur painting, 50 samples were dancing doll, 50 samples were Swamimalai icons, 50 samples of Natchiarkoil lamp and 50 samples of Orathanadu horse terracotta. Among the sample despondence were accessed the schemes of central and state 32 %, 38%, 22%, 52%, 48%, and 22% respectively. It found that Swamimalai icon produced artisans 52 percent of them highly accessed the central and state sponsored schemes and 48 percent of Natchiarkoil lamp produced artisan utilized the available schemes followed by dancing doll and horse terracotta produced artisans 11 percent of them accessed the schemes and these artisans seems to be vulnerable among the other artisans.

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CHART: 1.1

SCHEMES NOT ACCESSED BY THE ARTISANS IN THANJAVUR DISTRICT 90

80 78 78 70 68 60 62

50 52 48 40

30 Schemes Accessed by the Artisans in Thanjavur 20 District

10

0

Conclusion

This research persistent of numerous welfare schemes and announced by the State and Central Governments for the development of the artisan’s community. But These are all the artisan’s welfare schemes is not properly reached to the weaker section, and the unfortunately majority of the government schemes planned by paper work and not implemented at the same, time mostly the artisans faced with access problem, all the schemes and welfare plans are only the name shake and not properly implemented in rural and semi urban areas.

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REFERENCES

i. Hein Streefkerk, Industrian Trnsition in Rural India Artisans, Traders and Tribal’s in South Gujarat, Popular Prakashan Pvt Ltd, Bombay, 1985. P.73. ii. Michael Scott, The Crafts Business Encyclopaedia Marketing, Management and Money, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich publication, New York, 1977. P.149. iii. Gughan Babu A, “Prospects and Challenges Facing Village Artisans in Ensuring Socio-Economic Stability with Reference to Artisans Welfare Schemes in India”, Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi, 29th and 30th March, 2016. ISBN: 978-81-931594-2-2, P.p. 226-232. iv. Annual Report on 2000, Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Ministry of textiles, Government of India, New Delhi. v. Annual Report on 2001, Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Ministry of textiles, Government of India, New Delhi. vi. Annual Report on 2002, Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Ministry of textiles, Government of India, New Delhi. vii. Annual Report on 2003, Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Ministry of textiles, Government of India, New Delhi. viii. Annual Report on 2004, Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Ministry of textiles, Government of India, New Delhi. ix. Annual Report on 2014, Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Ministry of textiles, Government of India, New Delhi. x. Annual Report on 2015, Handicrafts Development Commissioner, Ministry of textiles, Government of India, New Delhi. xi. G.O. (MS) No.112 dated 08/06/2012, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. xii. G.O. (MS) No.151 dated 02/07/2013, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai. xiii. G.O. (MS) No.211 dated 19/09/2013, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai xiv. Annual Report on 2015-16, Development commissioner of Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi, 2016. xv. Planning Commission Report on 2012, Government of India, New Delhi, 2012.

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