Parliament Question: Lok Samvardhan Parv

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1709 ANSWERED ON 29.07.2026 LOK SAMVARDHAN PARV 1709. SHRI RAMESH AWASTHI DR. T. SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the objectives and salient features of the Lok Samvardhan Parv organised under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme; (b) whether the Government has conducted Lok Samvardhan Parv in various locations to provide a platform for local artisans, weavers and culinary experts especially from minority communities to have market access, business development and promote livelihood and if so, the details thereof; (c) the number of artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs likely to participate in the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv along with the details of institutional support being provided to them for marketing, business development and export promotion; (d) the measures taken by the Government to enhance market access and business opportunities for artisans belonging to minority communities through such initiatives particularly in Tamil Nadu; and (e) whether the Government propose to organise such outreach programmes in other States and Union Territories as well and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU) (a) Under the PM VIKAS scheme, Ministry has been organising 'Lok Samvardhan Parv', bringing together minority artisans from across India and assist them to scale up their operations and businesses. The platform offers artisans a unique opportunity to showcase their indigenous arts, crafts, and rich cultural heritage. The event has been designed not only to promote the traditions of minority communities but also to foster an innovative and entrepreneurial environment for artisans. (b) So far, the Ministry has organised 06 Lok Samvardhan Parvs, as under: i. July, 2024 at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi ii. January, 2025 at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi iii. April, 2025 at Convocation Ground, Kashmir University, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir iv. June, 2025 at Gandhi Darshan, Raj Ghat, New Delhi v. August-September 2025, Marine Drive Exhibition Area, Kochi, Kerala vi. July 2026, Parade Ground, Dehradun, Uttarakhand(c) and (d): The 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv was successfully organised from 11th to 17th July, 2026 at Parade Ground, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The event featured 150 artisan and culinary stalls, providing a platform to artisans, crafts-persons, weavers and culinary experts from across the country to exhibit and market their products. To enhance their skills in areas like marketing, export & online business, design, taxation and sales etc., workshops were conducted by the Ministry, with support from the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), ensuring a holistic approach to empowering their talent and augmentation in their incomes. The benefits of Lok Samvardhan Parv are available to eligible participants from all States and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, thereby facilitating market access and business opportunities for artisans and traditional craftsmen. (e) The Ministry has issued a framework for organising Lok Samvardhan Parv in States and Union Territories under the PM VIKAS Scheme. Organisation of such events at other locations is considered from time to time, subject to receipt of proposals from eligible implementing agencies, availability of funds and fulfilment of the prescribed guidelines. *****