Parliament Question: Initiatives to Support Rural Artisans

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2002 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2026 INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT RURAL ARTISANS 2002. SHRI DEVESH SHAKYA: Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to provide modern technology to the traditionally operated large-scale brass casting industry in Jalesar in Etah and rural artisans in Kasganj and to establish a special Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) hub for them; (b) the details of any particular action plan formulated under the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) to ensure global branding, packaging and listing on e-commerce platforms for the products of these rural artisans; (c) the number of educated youth in the rural areas of these two districts who have been provided loans and subsidy for setting up industries under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) during the last two years; and (d) whether the Government is considering the implementing of any special solar energy subsidy scheme to provide relief to these rural small industries facing difficulties due to high electricity costs and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) & (b): The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has not received any proposal / action plan from the traditionally operated large-scale brass casting industry in Jalesar in Etah and rural artisans in Kasganj for establishing a special MSMEs hub. (c): The number of rural micro enterprises assisted and Margin Money Subsidy disbursed under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in the districts of Etah and Kasganj in Uttar Pradesh for the last 2 financial years i.e., FY 2024-25 to FY 2025-26 is given below: Etah Kasganj Financial No. of Micro Margin Money No. of Micro Margin Money Year Enterprises Subsidy (Rs in Enterprises Subsidy (Rs in Assisted lakh) Assisted lakh) 2024-25 45 101.26 35 86.02 2025-26 25 95.03 36 114.96 (d): The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been implementing PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana for installing rooftop solar and providing free electricity upto 300 units every month for One Crore households. ****