Prez calls upon Govt to provide policy support to handicrafts

Asserting that "proactive steps" are needed to realize the full potential of Indian handicrafts sector, President Pranab Mukherjee called upon the government to provide policy support necessary to evolve profitable market linkages and ensure easier access to bank credit.
Promotion of products in both domestic and international markets would expand its geographic reach, achieve economies of scale and make production more viable," Mukherjee said at a ceremony to present the 'Shilp Guru' and National awards here.
The President noted that the handicrafts sector faces "numerous challenges" despite enjoying a wide production base.
"It (handicrafts) suffers from inadequate availability of raw material, out-dated technology and limited access to markets. The products in this sector remain vulnerable to the stiff competition from cheaper imports and machine-made substitutes.

"These are the issues that need to be addressed systematically and comprehensively," Mukherjee said.
He said the emphasis at the policy and implementation levels has to be on the availability of sound infrastructure for the craft persons.

"Focused attention has to be paid to the quality of handicraft products. In this regard, it is my firm belief that we can construct linkages between universities, corporate houses and government bodies working in this area particularly to build an R&D eco-system for building new technology.
"This would help a traditional sector like handicrafts to upgrade its equipment and processes to produce world-class products at competitive prices," Mukherjee said.

The President said that vitality in the handicrafts sector is important as it checks migration of work forces and keeps traditional economic relationships intact.
"With our agricultural sector already burdened, and employment opportunity in capital-intensive industries extremely limited, the role of handicrafts in generating employment and income opportunities has become crucial.
"This sector provides employment to about 70 lakh persons. The scope for gainfully absorbing more people exists in the system. We must make concerted effort to achieve this objective," Mukherjee said.