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CHAPTER XIV SC/ST and Women Welfare in Textiles handicraft
sector In the handicrafts sector about 32% of the outlay inspect 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 different crafts, nearly
24.5% belong to scheduled caste
and 75% to scheduled tribe communities. WELFARE OF WOMEN In the handicrafts sector, women constitute a major segment of
handicrafts 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 developmental schemes such as training, marketing related programmes,
National Awards, exhibitions etc. being implemented by the Office of the Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts) Voluntary organisations like Self-employed Women' Association,
Ahmedabad, SHASHA, Kolkata,
Mahila Kalyan Samithi, Philbit, SHRUJAN Trust, Bhuj, etc. are being
financially assisted to encourage women participation in various crafts
activities. Nearly 40% of
artisans who have benefited under these schemes are women. During the year
2000-2001, the total outlay for special component plan for scheduled caste,
tribal sub-plan and sub-plan for women are as given in Table 14.1 Handloom Sector Handloom Sector occupies a place of eminence in preserving the
Country's heritage and culture and plays a vital role in the economy of the
country. It has a long tradition of excellence in its craftsmanship. In terms
of employment, over 65 lakhs persons are engaged in handloom weaving and
allied activity with 35 lakhs looms. Among weavers, 65% are women and 32%
belong to SC/ST category. In order to assist the Handloom Weavers as a whole including SC,
ST and women weavers, the Government of India has been implementing many
Schemes through State Governments for the over all Development of the
Handloom Sector for the purpose of (i) Employment-Generation, (ii)
Modernisation and upgradation of technology, (ii) Input support, (iv)
marketing Support, (v) Publicity & Exhibition, (vi) Infrastructural
Support, (vii) Welfare measures, (viii) Composite Growth (ix) Development of
Exportable Products and (x) Research & Development etc. Govt. of India
has taken new initiatives in addition to ongoing schemes and programmes by
launching a new scheme, namely Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana and has set up a national
Centre for Textile Design (NCTD) recently for providing design input for
value addition. Since most of the handloom weavers are below the poverty line
and belong to the down trodden and marginalised section of the society, the Government has made the
welfare of the weavers, a prominent concern. In view of above, provision for
comprehensive package. In the case of agencies having 100%
SC/ST/Women/Minorities population, the grant portion will be shared in the
ratio of 75.25 between the centre
and the State under the Deen Dayal Hathkargha Protsahan Yojana. Welfare
of women In Handloom Sector women contribute a considerable segment 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 award, national awards exhibitions etc. being
implemented by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms). Even
more attention is being concentrated on women as this year is being
celebrated as "Women Year" by the UNO. Table 14.1
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