Govt to group schemes for handicraft, handloom sector
Zee News, India
New Delhi, April 29: The Central Government has said it plans to rationalize the number of schemes for the handloom and handicraft industries to focus more attention on these sectors.
Twelve existing schemes for the handloom sector would be grouped into five schemes, while in the handicrafts sector, 11 schemes would be merged into seven, Textile Ministry told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on labour.
The Committee was, however, of the view that the modification or introduction of new schemes, “which may be half-baked as well”, would only hamper the pace of expenditure of the Textile Ministry.
It said if this trend (frequent changes in schemes) continued, then the industry’s aim to become 115 billion dollar sector by 2012 would remain “a distant dream.” Instead of loading the sector with too many schemes, a few effective and well-planned schemes should be devised to achieve the desired growth and make it globally competitive, it added.
The standing committee also criticised inadequate provisioning for the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS), which has been extended for the 11th plan period.
While Rs 911 crore has been allocated for TUFS under the 11th plan period, the committee felt this amount may not be sufficient.
An additional Rs 500 crore or more needs to be allocated to fund fresh investments, the Committee said.
Bureau Report