India’s Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) recently made headlines with an announcement regarding the expansion and doubling support for beneficiary-oriented, self-employment schemes. This development is expected to contribute significantly towards Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan – a campaign that champions self-reliance in India. The scheme envisages governmental aid for artisans engaged in pottery and beekeeping activities.
Government Support for Artisans
In an earlier move targeted at benefiting artisans involved in the manufacture of Agarbatti, the ministry gave approval for a programme under the Gramodyog Vikas Yojana. Currently, the government’s assistance covers technical know-how, product quality standardization, skill-development for Self Help Groups (SHGs), and providing incentives to successful traditional potters to establish units under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP).
The PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy scheme designed to promote self-employment through the establishment of micro-enterprises. It also includes setting up pottery clusters in Terracotta and Red clay pottery, introducing new innovative value added products to build pottery to crockery/tile making capabilities under the SFURTI scheme. The Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) aims to make traditional industries more productive and competitive by organizing them into clusters.
The Significance of Terracotta
Terracotta, a type of ceramic pottery made by baking terracotta clay, is significant in this initiative. Originating from the Italian words for “baked earth,” the material is popularly used for making pipes, bricks, and sculptures. Recently, a Terracotta Grinder was launched at Varanasi by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) terracotta boasts the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, and terracotta figurines were also a significant part of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Beekeeping Initiative
The Beekeeping Activity initiative aims to create sustainable employment for beekeepers and farmers. It seeks to encourage artisans to adopt scientific Beekeeping & Management practices, utilize available natural resources, and create awareness about the benefits of beekeeping in cross-pollination. The Ministry of MSME recently flagged off ‘Apiary on Wheels’, a unique concept designed by KVIC for easy upkeep and migration of Bee Boxes containing live Bee colonies.
Benefits of the Programme
This updated government scheme would immediately benefit approximately 1500 artisans, providing them with sustainable employment and increased earnings. Artisans residing in rural areas, Self Help Groups, and migrant workers are expected to be the primary beneficiaries. In addition to enhancing local employment opportunities, the programme will also help capture export market for such products.
Way Forward
The MSME sector, particularly rural enterprise owners, has been severely impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The government’s response to this includes the current self-employment schemes and potential measures such as tax relief (GST and corporate tax), swift refunds, and providing liquidity to rural India (possibly through PM-Kisan) to stimulate demand for MSME products.