Parliament Question: Assistance to artisans in agarbatti projects under GVY

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3459 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026 ASSISTANCE TO ARTISANS IN AGARBATTI PROJECTS UNDER GVY 3459. DR. DHARMASTHALA VEERENDRA HEGGADE: (a) the details of agarbatti making and mixing machines provided to individuals and Self Help Groups for the agarbatti project under the Gramodaya Vikas Yojana (GVY) in the country, State-wise; (b) whether support is being provided in the form of training, raw material, marketing, and financial support to the artisans by Khadi and Village Industries Commission; (c) whether Government proposes to establish similar projects under the scheme in the State of Karnataka and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the number of Centres of Excellence have been proposed and to be established under the project? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (c): The Agarbatti industry is covered under the Agro Based and Food Processing Industry (ABFPI) vertical of GVY. KVIC is imparting training to artisans through master trainers/experts/MDTCs on the operation and maintenance of agarbatti machines, as well as on the process of agarbatti making across the country including Karnataka State. During the training period, raw materials are being provided to the artisans and upon completion of the training, Agarbatti machines are also distributed by KVIC to the artisans. KVIC also extend market linkages through its network of assisted Khadi Institutions, exhibitions, sales outlets and online platforms for effective display and sale of products. State-wise details of Agarbatti Machines distributed to the artisans during the years 2021- 22 to 2024-25, including Karnataka State are given at Annexure-I. (d): There is no specific proposal for establishment of Centres of Excellence under the Agarbatti Industry. *****Annexure-I State-wise details of Agarbatti Machines distributed to the artisans Sr. Name of the Financial Year No State/UT 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 1 Arunachal Pradesh 40 - - - 2 Assam - 20 40 - 3 Bihar 50 - 20 56 4 Chhattisgarh - 40 - - 5 Delhi - - 20 - 6 Gujarat - 20 40 80 7 Haryana - - 20 40 8 Himachal Pradesh - - 20 20 9 Jammu & Kashmir 40 - - - 10 Jharkhand 90 - 20 20 11 Karnataka 90 80 40 20 12 Madhya Pradesh - 45 20 40 13 Maharashtra 260 60 20 - 14 Manipur - - - 20 15 Meghalaya - - 20 - 16 Odisha 50 - - 20 17 Rajasthan 90 40 - - 18 Tamil Nadu 140 20 40 33 19 Telangana - 40 40 - 20 Uttar Pradesh 100 20 60 120 21 West Bengal 50 - 20 -