Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme was launched on 14th May, 2015 to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities. The scheme aims at capacity building and updating the traditional skills of master craftsmen/artisans, documentation of identified traditional arts/crafts of minorities, set standards for traditional skills, training of minority youths in various identified traditional arts/crafts through master craftsmen, and develop national and international market linkages.

Ministry has engaged institutions of national repute namely, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID) to work in various craft clusters for design intervention, product range development, documentation of identified crafts, set standards of identified crafts, conduct exhibitions and brand building etc. Approx. 49 crafts clusters have been identified so far by the knowledge partner under the USTTAD scheme covering various traditional arts & crafts.

The details of year wise funds allocation and utilization during the past two years under USTTAD scheme has been provided below:

Year	Financial progress In Crores
	BE	RE	Achievement	Utilization %
2019-20	50	60	54.48	91%
2020-21	60	60	56.74	95%
2021-22	47	-	44.34 (as on 15th March 2022)	94%

 

The training component of the scheme was started in the year 2016-17. The number of beneficiaries under the scheme for the year 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 are 16,200, 3465 and 3465 respectively, out of which 540 candidates are from the state of Bihar. The training during the last two years could not be conducted due to Covid pandemic.

Further, Hunar Haat is being implemented since 2016-17 as a component of USTTAD scheme. Hunar Haat is an effective platform wherein opportunity is given to artisans/craftsmen and culinary experts from across the country to showcase and market their handicrafts and indigenous products. Hunar Haat is helping in promotion and preservation of languishing traditional arts, crafts and indigenous products which is playing an effective role in the pledge of Swadeshi se Swavalamban’’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ thereby contributing to the objectives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Hunar Haat has generated employment and employment opportunities for artisans, craftpersons and associated persons and has further strengthened their market linkages. So far, more than 8 lakh artisans, craftsmen and people associated with them have benefitted through various Hunar Haats organized by the Ministry.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Minority Affairs Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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N Ao//(MoMA_RSQ-2037)

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