**Policy Summary: Revival of Kolhapuri Chappal Artisans**
This policy, announced on August 1, 2025, by the Ministry of Textiles, focuses on supporting Kolhapuri chappal artisans following the craft's Geographical Indication (GI) registration in July 2019. The GI registration was facilitated by Sant Rohidas Leather Industries Charmakar Development Corporation Limited (LIDCOM), a Government of Maharashtra undertaking, and Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited (LIDKAR), Bangalore, Karnataka, with support from the Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The policy aims to protect traditional Kolhapuri chappal designs and prevent infringement through several initiatives:
1. **Financial Support for GI Registration:** The Development Commissioner Handicrafts provides financial support for GI registration of traditional crafts under the Research and Development component of the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP).
2. **Awareness Programs:** Workshops and seminars are conducted to educate artisans about the significance of GI registration and authorized usage.
3. **Marketing and Promotion:** The marketing component of the NHDP scheme includes GI-themed pavilions at marketing events to popularize and educate consumers about Kolhapuri chappals.
4. **Export Promotion:** The Office of the Development Commissioner Handicrafts implements craft demonstration programs at international trade fairs and exhibitions, supports Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), organizes design and capacity-building programs, and facilitates digital onboarding and e-commerce enablement. These efforts aim to promote GI-tagged crafts in both domestic and international markets.
The information was provided by the Minister of State for Textiles, Shri Pabitra Margherita, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Textiles: The Indian government ministry responsible for the textiles industry.
Kolhapuri Chappal: A type of handcrafted leather footwear originating from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India.
Sant Rohidas Leather Industries Charmakar Development Corporation limited LIDCOM: A Government of Maharashtra undertaking involved in the leather industry.
Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited LIDKAR: A leather industry development corporation located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu: A research institute involved in leather research and development, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
National Handicrafts Development Programme NHDP: A scheme to promote handicrafts through research, development, and marketing.
SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA: Minister of State for Textiles.
Rajya Sabha: The upper house of the Parliament of India.
Ministry of Textiles
REVIVAL OF KOLHAPURI CHAPPAL ARTISANS
Posted On: 01 AUG 2025 2:21PM by PIB Delhi
Kolhapuri chappal was registered under Geographical Indication (GI) in July 2019 by Sant Rohidas Leather
Industries & Charmakar Development Corporation limited (LIDCOM), a Government of Maharashtra
Undertaking and Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited (LIDKAR),
Bangaluru, Karnataka facilitated by Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Therefore, the
matter has been taken up by the concerned agency in support of the Maharastra’s GI artisans.
To protect traditional designs infringement the office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) provides
financial supports for GI registration of the traditional crafts under the Research & Development component
of the National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP). It also conducts workshop/seminar to sensitize
the artisans about the importance of GI registration & usage as a authorized user. Under the marketing
component of the NHDP scheme, marketing events are held from time to time with GI theme pavilion to
popularize & educate the consumers.
To promote the export potential of such artisan’s product the Office of the Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts) implements craft demonstration programmes in International Trade Fairs and Exhibitions,
provide support to Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), organize Design and Capacity Building programme,
facilitate Digital Onboarding and e-Commerce Enablement to promote GI-Tagged Crafts in both domestic &
international markets.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES SHRI SHRI PABITRA
MARGHERITA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
****
MAM/SMP
(Rajya Sabha US Q1597)
(Release ID: 2151228)