Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan presided over the 192nd meeting of the Board of Directors of the HP State Handicrafts & Handloom Corporation here today. He said that the Corporation is implementing Central sponsored project named Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) of Rs. 23.38 crores in the state, the duration of which is three years.
He appreciated the achievements of the Corporation for the year 2023-24 wherein Corporation benefitted 420 artisans. Improved tool kits to 340 artisans were also distributed during this period. During the year 2024-25, 107 Design and Technical Development workshops and six Entrepreneur Development Programmes have been conducted benefitting approximately 2500 artisans of the state.
He said that three Thematic Exhibitions would be organised within the State for sale of products of artisans. Under this project two new emporia would be opened and six existing emporia be renovated.
Industries Minister appreciated the steps taken by the Corporation for the benefit of artisans and weavers of the State and directed that scheme and programme of corporation must reach to mass of the state and training of extinct art should be conducted to preserve the heritage of the state Handloom and Handicrafts.
The Managing Director of the Corporation Gandharva Rathore apprised the Board about the major activities being undertaken by the Corporation. She said that the Corporation earned profit of Rs. 40.92 lakh during the financial year 2021-22. The Corporation conducted sale of handicrafts & handloom products to the tune of Rs. 412.99 lakh for the period April 1, 2024 to July 31, 2024.
During the year 2024-25, two Tana Bana (Handlooms) Expo at Shimla and Dharamshala are being organised in which space for 25 weavers would be provided free of cost for sale of their products directly to the customers. Principal Secretary Industries R.D. Nazeem and Director Industries Rakesh Prajapati were also present in the meeting.