Integrated Handloom Cluster Development Program
Scheme of Office of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, New Delhi.

872 SHGs formed, covering 10755 weavers.         Wage enhancement of weavers by Rs 300 per month at Varanasi and Bhagalpur cluster.         342 awareness camps organized involving 40800 weavers from the cluster pockets.         4800 weavers registered under Insurance Scheme.         Credit linkages fro 642 weavers with banks –Rs 53.75 lakhs credit disbursed         47 dyers workshop organized with participant of 1300 dyers leading to improvement in dyeing technology         59 exhibition and 50 buyer seller meets organized with total sales realization of Rs 6.64 crores.         25 export procedure training program organized with active involvement of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Handloom Export Promotion council New Delhi         800 new designs and product introduced         26 managerial Training organized for office bearers of consortium and local institutions         Establishment of 34 yarn Depot, total indent received by NHDC =Rs 84 lakhs         Showroom and display Arrangements -2         Product Catalogue developed by 20 cluster         Product inquiries received from 242 buyers and exporters, retailers and buying houses         Traditional looms -1580 looms upgraded by replacement of reels and heads         CFC & Dye houses –Proposal for 18 CFC and 16 Dye houses cleared by ministry as common facility center fro the weavers

National Resource Agency

Since the cluster-based approach is at the core of this scheme, and as the NA does not have the requisite expertise and experience related to cluster development methodology the Scheme provides for the Apex Committee engaging a reputed National Resource Agency (NRA) with expertise in cluster development methodology, to provide technical support to the NAs and the IAs. The responsibilities of such NRA shall include assisting the NAs in identification of clusters, conducting training of CDAs and other officials of the NA, validation of cluster action plans and monitoring and evaluation.. The Apex Committee will identify and engage the National Resource Agency ( NRA). With the help of the NRA, NA will identity the Implementing Agencies (IAs) for each cluster and enter into contracts with them, with the approval of the Apex Committee. The IAs, after signing the contracts, will identity and appoint the CDAs and send them for training organised by the NRA. Based on the training inputs, the CDAs will conduct the diagnostic studies in the clusters and, using their findings, prepare annual action plans, clearly indicating the activities and expected outputs, which will be validated by the Cluster Development Co-ordination Group (CDCG). The IA, based on such annual action plan, will project the requirement of funds to the NA. On receipt of such requisition along with the cluster action plans, the NA will get them examined/ validated by the NRA. The project proposal, thereafter, will be placed before the Apex Committee consisting of the following:

1
 Secretary (Textiles) Chairman
2
 DC (Handlooms) Member
3
 Representative of NABARD Member
4
 FA, Ministry of Textiles Member
5
 Representative of Planning Commission Member
6
 Managing Director, NHDC Member
7
 ADC (Handlooms) Member

APEX COMMITTEE

The role of the Apex Committee is, therefore, to provide overall strategic directions to the project, approve the projects, budgets and action plan submitted by the implementing agencies, periodical review and monitoring of the progress made by various cluster-developing agencies etc.

After the approval of the Apex Committee, funds would be released to the IAs in instalments as mentioned hereafter. The implementation of activities will start immediately on approval of the project. The above-mentioned sequence is illustrative and some of the stages can be telescoped, depending on the situation.

ROLE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT

The State Government will make necessary provision for allotment of land free of cost/subsidized cost to the cluster for construction of common facility center /dye center etc. The State Government will also provide legal entity to the consortium to be developed by the cluster. It should also be the endeavor of the State Government to converge assistance available under various schemes of the State Government with that of the IHCD Scheme so as to optimize the flow of benefits to the weavers.

DURATION OF THE PROJECT

The time frame for completion of the cluster project is 4 years.


« Previous   Next »