Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Commerce & Industry

21-May-2012 15:55 IST

Census of Handicrafts/Handloom

.  The census of handicrafts artisans is in progress.  However as per the result made available on different parameters pertaining to handicraft sector based on enumeration undertaken till now, it is estimated that the number of artisans in the country is 68.86 lakhs.

                .  To improve the skill of workers engaged in handicrafts including Stone Carving and Metal Carving industry in Odisha, the Government is implementing the scheme of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY), Human Resource Development and Design and Technological Upgradation.

                Through Market Support Services Scheme of the Government, artisans are encouraged to participate in Gandhi Shilp Bazars, Craft Bazars, Sourcing Shows and Exhibitions etc. Besides Government have set up 21 Urban Haat on the pattern of Dilli Haat in big towns/metropolitan cities to provide direct marketing facilities to handicraft artisans/handloom weavers.

                Moreover, under the component of International Marketing of the Marketing Support Services Scheme, artisans are deputed for participation in cultural exchange programme/craft exchange programme in international events/exhibitions etc.

                                The number of male and females handicraft  artisans in the country including of Kumhar (Potter) of Orissa is estimated as 30.25 lakhs and 38.61 lakhs respectively.  However the State-wise figures shall only be known once the census of handicrafts artisans is completed.

                As per Handloom Census of India (2009-10), there are 29,08,800 Adult Handloom Weavers across the country.  Of this, 22,03,038 are Female weavers.  State-wise details is given in the annexure.

                Percentage of full time women weavers is more than 65% in most of the States except North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttrakhand.  State-wise details of women weavers, who are full time, are also given in the same annexure.

                                The steps proposed to be taken by the Government to promote handicrafts sector during the Twelfth Five Year Plan include: implementation of schemes of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana (AHVY), Design & Technology Up-gradation Scheme, Marketing Support Services Scheme, Research & Development Scheme, Human Resource Development Scheme and Handicraft Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme. Two New scheme namely ‘special scheme for North Eastern Region’  and Infrastructure  Development has been proposed under 12^th Five Year Plan.

Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.7290 to be answered on 21.5.2012.

Nos. of Adult Handloom weavers as per Handloom Census of India (2009-10)

This information was given by Smt. . Panabaaka Lakshmi,  Minister of State for Textiles    in written reply to a question in  Lok    Sabha today.

DS/GK