Executive Summary:
This document is the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 772 regarding development schemes for tribal communities at the rural level, specifically addressing the Tharu tribe in Bihar. It outlines the various schemes implemented by the Government of India and the Government of Bihar for the socio-economic and cultural development, and livelihood enhancement, of tribal artisans, including the Tharu community. The schemes include marketing support, skill development, infrastructure, and direct benefits to artisans.
Key Points / Main Content:
Government of India Schemes:
* The Ministry of Textiles implements the National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) and Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) for the overall development of handicraft artisans, including tribal artisans.
* These schemes provide support for marketing, skill development, cluster development, formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructural and technology support, and research and development.
* 646 Pahchan Identity Cards have been issued to handicraft artisans from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category in West Champaran district, Bihar, enabling them to sell products online and offline.
* Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has empanelled 56 artisans/producers/suppliers from the Tharu community in Bihar, benefiting 405 families through product marketing.
Government of Bihar Initiatives:
* The Integrated Tharuhat Development Agency implements schemes for the social, economic, and cultural development of tribes, including the Tharu, in the Tharuhat region of West Champaran.
* A weavers workshop-cum-residential building has been constructed and is operational in Harnatand Panchayat of Bagaha2 block for self-employment.
* Approval has been given for the construction of a handloom building at Mishrauli in Bagaha2.
* 77871 families in 43 panchayats of Sidhauv Block, Bagaha2, Ramnagar, Gaunaha and Mainatanr under Tharuhat region have been connected through 6378 self-help groups for capacity building and livelihood activities via Jeevika.
Impact Analysis:
Tribal Artisans (Including Tharu Community):
* Impact: Beneficiaries of various development schemes aimed at socio-economic upliftment, skill enhancement, and marketing support for their handicrafts.
* Action Required: Participate in available schemes and programs, utilize provided infrastructure, and leverage marketing opportunities.
Government of India (Ministry of Tribal Affairs & Ministry of Textiles):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and monitoring various schemes for the development of tribal communities and handicraft artisans.
* Action Required: Continue implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of NHDP, CHCDS, and PMJVM, ensuring benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.
Government of Bihar (Integrated Tharuhat Development Agency):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing specific development schemes in the Tharuhat region, focusing on the social, economic, and cultural development of the Tharu tribe.
* Action Required: Continue implementing and monitoring development schemes, ensure the operationality of constructed facilities, and facilitate livelihood activities through self-help groups.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development of tribal communities.
Tharu Tribe: A tribal community residing in areas of India and Nepal, specifically mentioned in the context of Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha Constituency, Bihar.
Valmiki Nagar Lok Sabha Constituency, Bihar: A parliamentary constituency in Bihar with a significant Tharu population.
National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP): A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Textiles for the overall development of handicraft artisans.
Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS): A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Textiles for the development of handicraft artisan clusters.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): A mission by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs focused on the development of tribal communities.
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED): An organization involved in marketing and developing tribal products.
West Champaran district, Bihar: A district in Bihar where Pahchan Identity Cards have been issued to handicraft artisans.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 772
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 24/07/2025
DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR TRIBALS AT RURAL LEVEL
772. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that the Government is implementing various schemes at the rural level for the
development of tribal communities and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that a large population of Tharu tribe lives in the Valmiki Nagar Lok
Sabha Constituency of Bihar and the community is skilled in handicrafts such as making shawls, sheets,
mooj (grass-based products) like dauni and mauni;
(c) if so, the details of the schemes being prepared by the Government for their livelihoods; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to set up handloom industry units in Tharu-dominated Tharuhat areas
such as Harnatand in Bagaha-2 block, Bakhri Bazaar in Ramnagar block and Belsandi in Gaunaha block and
if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (d): The Government is implementing various schemes for socio-economic development of tribal
community in general. Ministry of textiles implements National Handicraft Development Programme
[NHDP] and Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme [CHCDS] for overall development of the
handicraft’s artisans including tribal artisans. It provides support for marketing, skill development, cluster
development, formation of Producer Companies, direct benefit to artisans, infrastructural and technology
support, research and development support etc. which are benefitting to the artisans throughout the country
including Tribal community. Total 646 Pahchan Identity Cards have been issued to the handicraft artisans
(ST) belonging to West Champaran district, Bihar. They can sell their handicrafts products online and
offline through participating in marketing programs like Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, Dilli Haat, Ecommerce plat
form etc.
Under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) of the Ministry of Tribal
Affairs, Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has empanelled 56
artisans/ producers/ suppliers from Tharu community of Bihar with whom 405 number of families are
associated and are getting benefits through marketing of their products.The Government of Bihar has informed that through the Integrated Tharuhat Development Agency,
following schemes have been implemented for the social, economic and cultural development of the tribes
(including Tharu) of the Tharuhat region of West Champaran:
• Weaver’s workshop-cum-residential building has been constructed for self-employment in
Harnatand Panchayat of Block, Bagaha-2, which is fully operational.
• Approval has been given for construction of handloom building at Mishrauli in Bagaha-2.
Apart from this, Government of Bihar is running other programmes to encourage livelihood activities
through Jeevika. In the 43 panchayats of Sidhauv Block (Bagaha-2), Ramnagar, Gaunaha and Mainatanr
under Tharuhat region, 77871 families have been connected through 6378 self-help groups so far for their
capacity building and livelihood activities.
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