In the handicrafts sector about 32% of the outlay in respect of identified Central Sector Schemes is earmarked for the benefit of the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and women artisans with an allocation of 15%, 7.5% and 10% respectively. The major schemes in which this allocation has been made are (I) training, (ii) design and technical development (iii) marketing, (iv) exhibition and publicity (v) survey and study (vi) craft development Centres (vii) welfare and others schemes (viii) market development support, (ix) assistance to NEHHDC (x) Museum, etc.

Out of the total persons trained in various crafts, nearly 24.5% belong to scheduled caste and 75% to scheduled tribe communities.
 
 

Visual  :  Women worker spinning on a traditional charkha

WELFARE OF WOMEN

In the handicrafts sector, women constitute a major segment of handicraft workers i.e. around 4.5% of the total workforce. Special attention is being paid to ensure that a large number of women artisans get benefit in all the development schemes such as training, marketing related programmes, national awards, exhibitions etc. being implemented by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Violuntary organisations like Self-employed Women’s Association, Ahmedabad, SHASHA, Calcutta, Mahila Kalyan Samithi, Philbit, SHRUJAN Trust, Bhuj, etc. are being financially assisted to encourage women participation in various craft activities. Nearly 40% of artisans who have benefited under these schemes are women. During the year 1990-2000, the total outlay for special component plan for scheduled caste, tribal sub-plan and sub-plan for women are as follows:
 
 

Sl. No.	Name of scheme	Total outlay	TSP	SCP	WSP
1	Training Schemes	27.07	2.70	5.40	3.10
2	Design and Technical	4.66	0.28	0.56	0.30
3	Marketing and Service Extn. Centres	3.60	0.25	0.50	0.45
4	Exhibition and Publicity	0.91	0.10	0.10	0.8
5	Museums	0.35	0.02	0.04	0.7
6	Survey and Study	0.75	0.10	0.20	0.2
7	Craft Development Centres/CFCs	1.60	0.13	0.26	0.18
8	Welfare and other schemes	1.38	0.11	0.22	0.20
9	Assistance to NEHHDC	0.75	0.2	0.04	0.10
10	Assistance to Central State Corporation/ Apex Coops. Societies for new sales outlets (market Development) Assistance to ICT, Bhadohi	6.25      1.00	0.22	0.44	0.70
11	Export Promotion Regulation	1.35	-
12	Capital head	1.98	-
13	O/o Dev. Commissioner (Handicrafts)	0.35	-
	Total	52.80	3.93	7.86	5.20