KV Correspondent

Rs 375 cr provided as financial assistance to artisans under AAC: Govt

Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page

Jammu: The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga Tuesday informed the House that the department has covered 44414 artisans under Artisan Credit Card (ACC) scheme involving interest subsidy of Rs 62.36 crore whereas artisans have received a loan to the tune of Rs 375 crore till ending November 2017.

The Minister said that ACC Scheme provides for easy and soft credit facilities to the artisans, weavers, members of cooperative societies and craftsmen associated with different activities to start their independent ventures. He said the Scheme envisages financial assistance in the form of loan with a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh from various banks and financial institutions. The Government provides interest subsidy @10% on the loan over a period of 5 years, he added.

He further informed that the Ministry of Textiles, GoI has approved distribution of 8000 Modern Carpet Looms (2000 in Phase-I and 6000 in Phase-II) at a cost sharing pattern of 80:20 between Gol and State Government. Over 8000 Looms have been distributed among the beneficiaries free of cost, while the State Government provides about Rs14000 per loom as State Share against Central Share of Rs 40000 per loom.

He said the Ministry of Textiles, Gol has also accorded in principle approval for procurement and distribution of additional lot of 6000 Modern Carpet Looms with Central Share of Rs 24 crore.

While replying to another question, the Minister said that around 7500 persons are trained in different crafts annually in various training centres being run by Handicraft department. He further informed that the stipend of Rs 500 per month under elementary training courses and Rs 700 per month under advance training courses is being paid to the trainee artisans.

With regard to Skill Development Schemes, the Minister informed that Certificate Course in Carpet Manufacturing (CCCM) is being conducted under Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS) of Ministry of Textiles, GoI under which as many as 2740 persons have been trained so far.

He said that Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) is also conducting Certificate Course for Training of Trainers (CCTOT) with the objective to create a pool of professional trained human resource for the carpet industry.

“To create self-employment opportunities for the target groups, 6 months Certificate Course in Carpet Weaving is also being conducted in concerned areas of Kashmir Division and as many as 300 persons from different districts have been trained till date” he added.

Meanwhile, the Minister said around 80 persons, 20 each from Anantnag, Budgam, Bandipora and Srinagar districts have been imparted 4 month trained under Handicrafts Technical Training on Silk Carpet Weaving Programme, he added.

Responding to another part of question, the Minister said that market support is being provided to the artisans, craftsmen and Micro & Small manufacturers through exhibitions at different places within and outside the State.

Giving details, the Minister said during 2017-18 till date, 6 Exhibitions at IITF New Delhi, PITEX Amritsar, Chandigarh, Katra, Leh and Jammu have been organized and 4 more Exhibitions at Jaipur, Gwalior, Dehradun and Lucknow are being organized in the remaining months of the current financial year.  He added that Handicrafts (S&E) Corporation will also be participating in Spring Fair, Birmingham, UK to be held in February, 2018.

The Handicrafts (Sales & Export) Corporation is also providing market support through direct purchase of Handicraft items exquisite quality and designed products as per market trend, he added.


KV Correspondent

Kashmir Correspondent cover all daily updates for the newspaper

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *