Par panel suggests mini urban haats for artisan products

A Parliamentary Committee today suggested setting up of mini urban haats to facilitate poor artisans and weavers in showcasing and marketing their products directly.
In its report, the Standing Committee on Labour urged that "some kind of motivation and encouragement be considered and given to the implementing agencies to identify and make available land at strategic locations for setting up of mini urban haats so that poor artisans/weavers are able to avail the opportunity of showcasing and directly marketing their products".
It also said that since the states are promoting tourism, the concept of these haats would be an added interest for the tourists, especially foreign tourists besides being a source of income for artisans residing in small towns.

The committee, however, said that it is not convinced with the reply of the Textiles Ministry that even if the states are being requested by them from time to time, "not a single mini urban haat has been set up so far in the country defeating the very purpose of the joint strategy evolved in January 2015 between the Textiles and Tourism ministries.
The committee would also like to be informed of the progress made in setting of these haats in Jammu and Kashmir which has evinced interest in this regard, it said.
Further, pulling up the Textiles Ministry, the committee expressed concern that out of the 38.46 lakh adult handloom weavers and allied workers, photo I-card have been issued to only 31.13 lakh.

It urged the ministry to take up the matter with appropriate authorities so that I-cards are issued to the remaining 7.33 lakh weavers at an early date.

The committee also suggested for setting up of a dedicated helpline number on the lines of the "Kisan Helpline" so that the professional queries of artisans/weavers can be appropriately attended to by experts.
Further, it added that the committee does not subscribe to the reasoning offered by the ministry, as the rates of stipend for semi-skilled workers may differ from state to state which amounts to discrimination towards the weavers residing in states where stipend amount may be comparatively lower.

It recommended that "the rate of stipend should be made uniform all over India and be fixed by the DC (Handicraft) who has pan-India jurisdiction".