Odisha unveils Handicrafts Policy; will extend financial assistance to artisans
The Odisha government has rolled out its Handicrafts Policy 2019 to create a vibrant and sustainable handicraft sector in the state, according to a PTI report.
AP Padhi, Chief Secretary, Odisha government said, “The objective of the policy is to empower handicraft artisans and make them lead partners in the development.”
The policy seeks to focus on the handicraft sector in the state that is renowned for its craftsmanship. It also seeks to leverage the unique selling proposition of the skilled workforce and help enhance Odisha's share of exports of handicraft goods.
The policy is also looking to enable easy availability of raw materials for artisans, ensuring continuous design support for development of market and utility products, promoting collaborative effort for attractive, safe and eco-friendly packaging for handicrafts, as well as boosting targeted marketing of products.
A proposal in this regard was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday.
Padhi added, "It recognises that without the artisans, there can be no handicrafts. The policy provides centre stage to the artisans and their masterpieces.”
Apart from this, capacity-building initiatives to enhance skill level, encourage entrepreneurship, and improve coverage of handicraft artisans under various social security measures and welfare schemes are also part of the policy.
As part of the policy, the government will extend financial assistance for availing bank credit, survey and database management of artisans, and collaboration with different agencies such as NIFT and NID to infuse innovation in product design, quality, and productivity.
Padhi said that fiscal incentives, as provided under IPR-2015 (industrial policy resolution) and MSME Development Policy, 2015, would also be extended to the handicraft sector. “Setting of facilitation centres for awareness and administration of incentive will also be part of the policy,” he added.
The Odisha government has also been striving to make the state the next hub for small businesses in India. In the last 20 months, 350 startups working across the sectors have registered under the Startup Odisha Initiative.
Recently, a Centre for Innovation and Incubation (CII) was also established at Central Tool Room and Training Centre in Bhubaneswar. In December 2018, Odisha and Japan formed a partnership to provide sustainable growth for the citizens of the state through various projects at the ‘Make in Odisha Conclave 2018’.
