The Union Ministry of Textile in India has recently received a project proposal to set up Urban Haat, an infrastructure serving as a permanent marketplace to support handloom weavers and artisans. The primary location under consideration at the moment is Madhubani, in Bihar. This initiative aims to eliminate intermediate agencies in big towns and metropolitan cities and establish direct marketing facilities for crafts persons and weavers.
Objectives of Setting up Urban Haat
Urban Haat’s core objective is to establish a durable marketing infrastructure to remove middle agencies. Thus, artisans and handloom weavers in large towns and metropolitan cities can directly market their products. This model would facilitate a direct consumer-to-weaver transaction, ensuring transparent dealings and eliminating unnecessary price inflations caused by middlemen.
Potential Beneficiaries
Urban Haats will be strategically established in big towns and metropolitan cities. The primary beneficiaries of this initiative will be the craft persons and weavers who traditionally struggle with marketing their products effectively.
Implementation Strategy
Key entities responsible for implementing the proposed project are State Handicrafts, Handlooms Development Corporations, and Tourism Development Corporations. These organizations, equipped with significant financial resources and organizational capacities, will take the lead in setting up and managing these urban haats.
Eligibility Criteria for Beneficiaries
A broad range of stakeholders fall under the eligibility criteria for beneficiaries of the Urban Haat initiative. They include National level and State level handloom agencies, corporations, cooperatives, primary cooperatives, weavers, and artisans. All these parties stand to benefit from the establishment of a direct marketing facility like Urban Haat.
| Beneficiary Type | Description |
|---|---|
| National & State Level Handloom Agencies | Government agencies at both national and state levels involved in promoting handloom industries. |
| Corporations | Private firms and businesses engaged in the production, promotion, and sale of handicrafts and handlooms. |
| Cooperatives | Autonomous association of individuals united voluntarily to meet common economic, social, and cultural needs related to handloom and handicraft industry. |
| Weavers and Artisans | Individuals who create products using traditional crafting techniques, often by hand. |
Financial Ceiling for Urban Haat Initiative
The Ministry has established a financial ceiling for each Urban Haat unit. It stands at Rs. 300 lakh per unit. This funding will be utilized in the setup and operational expenses of the haat, providing a cost-effective solution for the marketing needs of artisans and weavers.