Recently, the electrification of pottery wheels was carried out for 100 potter families in Maharashtra. This drive was part of the Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY) under the guidance of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), making waves in the local media.
Overview of Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY)
The Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana was initiated in 2018 with the primary objective of strengthening and raising the standard of living for country potters. The goal is to achieve self-reliance within this community, following the model of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. This scheme’s unique approach involves equipping potters with contemporary tools and training, intending to revive their art and reintegrate them into broader society.
Implementation and Key Features of KSY
The implementation of KSY has been meticulously planned. KVIC has established proper marketing channels, including a partnership with Indian Railways, to sell the potters’ products. The initiative offers comprehensive training for the potters and distributes advanced equipment as part of the scheme. These efforts have significantly reduced the manual labor once associated with pottery-making, while simultaneously increasing production by three to four times.
Benefits and Impact of KSY
The introduction of modern equipment and proper training has resulted in an exponential growth in production quantity and income levels for the potters. These improvements have effectively alleviated the challenges typically associated with traditional pottery-making, marking a significant stride towards progress and development within this sector.
Additional Initiatives for Potters
In further support of the potters, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has announced plans to augment and double their support efforts. These include: encouraging successful traditional potters to establish units under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) scheme, which is a self-employment initiative through micro-enterprise development; and the formation of clusters in terracotta and red clay pottery production, stimulating innovative value-added products, under the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI).
About Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory group established under the 1956 Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act. The KVIC is responsible for planning, promoting, organizing, and executing programs for the development of Khadi and other village industries in rural areas. This organization works in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development as needed, operating under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.