**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's efforts, as articulated by the Minister of State for Textiles, to promote craft clusters throughout the country. The primary vehicle for this initiative is the Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) component of the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP), overseen by the Office of the Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles.
The government's strategy involves supporting viable craft clusters by facilitating the formation of Producer Companies, with artisans as members, to foster self-reliance. This support includes need-based interventions such as design and technical development workshops, toolkits distribution, exhibitions, craft demonstration programs, and seminars, all aimed at integrating these clusters into the financial mainstream.
Key data points regarding program implementation across states are as follows:
* 2022-23: 12 states covered, 318 programs implemented.
* 2023-24: 21 states covered, 396 programs implemented.
* 2024-25: 23 states covered, 124 programs implemented.
A total of 838 programs were implemented across the country during this period. The overarching goal is to empower artisans by establishing self-reliant business entities through the Producer Company model.
Key Entities Referenced
Craft Clusters: A group of artisans and related businesses working in the same craft, often geographically concentrated.
Ministry of Textiles: The Indian government ministry responsible for the formulation of policy and regulation of the textile industry.
SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI: Member of Parliament who raised the question about promoting craft clusters.
SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA: The Minister of State for Textiles who provided the answer to the question.
Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY): A component of the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP) scheme, aimed at supporting viable craft clusters.
National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP): A scheme to support the development of handicrafts, including the AHVY component.
Office of the Development Commissioner Handicrafts: Office responsible for implementation of Handicrafts development schemes under Ministry of Textiles.
Producer Companies: Companies formed by artisans in craft clusters to integrate them into the financial mainstream.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4312
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.08.2025
PROMOTING CRAFT CLUSTERS
4312. SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI:
Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री
be pleased to state :
(a) the steps taken by the Government to promote Craft Clusters in the country;
(b) the details of programs implemented in craft clusters, State-wise; and
(c) whether the Government has providing necessary assistance to make these craft clusters self-reliant
business entities, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
उत्तर
ANSWER
वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री (श्री पबित्र मार्घरे रटा)
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a) to (c): Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of
India through Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY) component of National Handicrafts
Development Programme (NHDP) Scheme envisages supporting viable craft clusters across the
country through formation of Producer Companies and subsequently providing need-based
intervention like design and technical development workshop, distribution of tool-kits, exhibition, craft
demonstration programme, seminar to integrate them into the financial mainstream. The Producer
Companies thus formed with the artisans as members is to make the artisans self-reliant.
The state-wise details of programs implemented in craft clusters are as below:
Year Number of States covered Number of Programme Implemented
2022-23 12 318
2023-24 21 396
2024-25 23 124
Total 838
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