On Wednesday, the Gujarat government unveiled its new five-year policy for cottage and rural industries. The goal of the program is to preserve the state’s dwindling handicrafts while fostering a vibrant, self-sufficient cottage industry sector with a larger market share in both home and foreign markets. Balvantsinh Rajput, the Minister of Cottage Industries, and Jagdish Panchal, the Minister of State for Cottage Industries, made the announcement.
According to an official statement, the goal of this policy is to “promote and preserve Gujarat’s handicraft, khadi, and handloom cultural heritage through an enabling and conducive environment in addition to increasing opportunities in this sector through the availability of credit support, market support, infrastructure facilities development, skill development, technology upgradation, and innovation.”
Among other pronouncements, the policy calls for raising loan and subsidy amounts to promote more options for self-employment. The maximum loan amount under the Shri Vajpayee Bankable Scheme is now Rs 25 lakh instead of Rs 8 lakh. The scheme’s subsidy amount has also increased, rising from Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 3.75 lakh. The maximum loan amount under the Dattopant Thengadi Artisan Interest Subsidy Scheme for working capital loans to handloom and handicraft craftsmen has been raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh.
In the following five years, the policy seeks to train more than 60,000 new business owners in skill development. In the meantime, 10,000 entrepreneurs per district are expected to assist in the promotion of distinctive products under the One District One Product (ODOP) program.
The department said in a statement, “The construction of the P M Ekta Mall in Surat, Gujarat, which would cost Rs 280 crores and span 2.72 lakh square feet, has begun in accordance with the Prime Minister’s motto of Local for Vocal. For the ODOP products of 33 state districts, 28 national districts, and eight Union Territories, as well as government agencies such the Forest Department, Khadi and Village Industries, etc., a total of 98 showrooms would be constructed. The amenities at PM Ekta Mall will include commercial spaces (as required for multiplexes and game zones), one-room kitchen apartments, and a hostel for artists”.
The policy also outlines intentions to build a craft museum in Gandhinagar and survey the number of craftspeople who produce handicrafts, khadi, and handloom items. Additionally, it seeks to raise the present sales of these craftsmen connected to boards, businesses, and cooperatives from Rs 460 crore to Rs 1,500 crore.
In order to safeguard the items’ intellectual property rights, artisans will be assisted in obtaining a GI Tag certificate. According to the announcement, handicraft and handloom goods with a GI (geographical indication) tag certificate will be supported and advertised as specialty goods.
Regarding the new policy’s skill enhancement for artisans, the statement said, “The trainers will receive annual refresher and orientation training to keep them abreast of market developments. State Award winners, National Award winners, and holders of National Qualification Certificates will plan training programs for aspiring craftspeople”.
Read Also: India’s Top Lawyers Defend Gautam Adani, Sagar Adani Over US Indictment, Slam Opposition
