Minister of Textiles inaugurates Cluster Sourcing Show of Handicraft

12 Feb '10

3 min read

Thiru. Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister of Textiles inaugurated an Exhibition –cum sale “Cluster Sourcing Show” of Handicraft products developed through Cluster Development Scheme at Dilli Haat, here on February 11, 2010. The Objective of the “Sourcing Show” is to provide a platform for marketing / business development support to the Handicraft products crafted by artisans by organizing themselves into Self Help Groups (SHGs) under the above Scheme of the Ministry of Textiles.

After inaugurating the exhibition, Thiru. Dayanidhi Maran along with Tmt. Panabaaka Lakshmi, Minister of State for Textiles, visited the various stalls set up by the artisans displaying their hand crafted products. On the occasion, Thiru. Maran also distributed cheques of over Rs 6 crore to the beneficiary artisans under the Ambedkar Hasthshilip Vikas Yojana (Cluster Development Scheme). An Annual calendar of 51 Gandhi Shilp Bazars to be organized during 2010-11 was also unveiled by the both Ministers.

This year more than 125 clusters are participating in this exhibition representing all major crafts like Embroidery, Cane & Bamboo, Wood, Stone, Block Printing, Metal, etc. Almost all the states have also been represented and more than 150 SHGs formed under Cluster Development Programme are participating in this exhibition. This exhibition will be on till 18th of the month.

It is expected that as a result of this exhibition a large number of orders from the organization involved in Handicraft Trade like CCIC, HHEC and other entrepreneurs in this field will be obtained. This exhibition will act as major platform for providing B2B & B2C connections for the cluster artisans.

About Ambedkar Hasthshilip Vikas Yojana (Cluster Development Scheme): Presently, handicraft sector is contributing substantially in employment generation and export but this sector has suffered due to very nature of being unorganized with additional constraints like lack of education, capital, poor exposure to new technologies, absence of market intelligence and poor institutional framework. In order to overcome these constraints, Ambedkar Hastashilp Vikas Yojana [AHVY] was launched in 2001-02 wherein the main thrust is on a project wise need based approach for integrated development of potential handicrafts clusters with participating of the craft persons at all stages of implementation of the scheme with the ultimate objective of their empowerment and hence sustainability. The scheme envisages a package of support to the cluster of handicraft artisans, which inter-alia includes basic inputs and infrastructure support in addition to capacity enhancement to cater to target markets.

Under the Scheme, 973 clusters have so far been covered and 3.25 lakh artisans had been benefitted. Further, a Theme Based Cluster Development Programme initiated for Needle craft,Tribal craft, Natural fibre and Eco Friendly craft, Fashion accessories and Festive decoration, under AHVY Scheme seeks to provide employment opportunities, enhance production capacities of clusters and ensure stronger forward and backward linkage to more number of artisans.

Press Information Bureau

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