Book English 2011.p65 - Ministry of Textiles

annual report 2010-11CHAPTER XVWELFARE OF SCHEDULED CASTES,SCHEDULED TRIBES AND WOMENHANDLOOMSThe Handloom Sector employs over43.31 persons in weaving and alliedactivities with 23.77 looms. Thissector is weaver- specific/occupational innature, with the majority of weaversbelonging to the poorest and themarginalized sections of the society. Ofthe total workforce of 43.31 persons, 10%of the workers are SC, 18% are ST, 45%are OBC and 27% are from Other Castesas per the report of Handloom Census of2009-10.The various handloom Schemes operatedby this office are weaver's professionoriented and not category related. Forassisting the Handloom Weavers, includingSC/ST and women, the Government ofIndia is implementing variousdevelopmental Schemes through StateGovernments with the objectives of (i)Employment Generation, (ii) Modernizationand upgradation of technology, (iii) Inputsupport, (iv) marketing support, (v)Publicity & Exhibition, (vi) Infrastructuralsupport, (vii) Welfare measures, (viii)Development of Exportable Products (ix)Research & Development.HANDICRAFTSOffice of the Development Commissioner(Handicrafts) six generic schemes viz.Baba Saheb Ambedkar hastshilp VikasYojana; Design and Technology UpgradationScheme; Marketing Support andServices Schemes; Export PromotionSchemes; Research & DevelopmentSchemes & Human ResourceDevelopment. All these schemes play avital role in the empowerment andupliftment of women artisans and artisansbelonging to Scheduled Castes andScheduled Tribes.Of total workforce engaged in handicrafts,47.42% are women, of which 37.11%belong to SC/ST category (Source :NCAER Survey, 1995-96). There arecertain crafts, which are practicedpredominantly by women like embroidery,mat weaving, etc. Special attention isbeing paid to ensure that a large numberof women artisans get benefit of all thedevelopmental schemes, such as training,marketing related programmes, NationalAwards, exhibitions, etc.SILK SECTORScheduled Caste Sub-Plan andScheduled Tribe Sub-PlanCentral Silk Board does not have separateSub-Plan for Scheduled Castes andScheduled Tribes. The Plan Programmesfor the target groups are usuallyimplemented by the States. The Schemes/Programmes being implemented byCentral Silk Board are mainly fordevelopment of sericulture industry, basicseed support and training. Besides,Central Silk Board has been implementingthe Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)viz., "Catalytic Development Programme"since IX Plan in which, SCs and STshave been largely benefited. Most of thesericulture activities especially undervanya sector are being practiced in thebackward areas by SCs / STs. The251