Handicraft Policy of Assam, 2022

Handicrafts, Artisan Development

Assam is a melting pot of cultures; ethnically diverse cultures that have contributed to the formation of a society and where the traditions of each culture have continued to flourish even as assimilation has taken place at many levels. The tradition of fabricating items from available resources like bamboo, cane, wood, water hyacinth, jute, banana sheath, decorative or utilitarian, in a traditional way as a trade, as part of domestic work or as a hobby has continued among these small ethnic groups and among all communities living in the State. Over the years, handicrafts produced in Assam, have gained traction all over the world for their simplicity and elegance. The famous colorful Assamese Zapi (headgear), bell and brass metal works, traditional Assamese jewellery, masks (mukha) used in plays are testimony to the quality of craftsmanship available in Assam.

Handicraft production is an important segment of the de-centralized/unorganized sector. It is mainly rural based. Originally, handicraft production was as a part time activity in the rural areas. It has now transformed into a flourishing economic activity due to higher market demand with great potential for further growth.

OBJECTIVES:

This policy aims to achieve the following objectives:

Improve the socio‐economic condition of artisans and craft practitioners by ensuring minimum wages;
Facilitate growth of crafts-based businesses and to make them economically viable by providing financial support;
Develop the capacity of those engaged in the sector, both artisans and entrepreneurs, through training and technology support;
Conserve traditional knowledge, skills and heritage through use of GI etc;
Empower artisans by providing them with social security like Life Insurance, Health Insurance , ESI, Family pension , support to education, food security , etc. through the existing schemes of the State and Central Government;
Provide market linkage/ online marketplace for sale of such products using IT;
Provide scope for Research and Development;
Develop a mechanism to ensure Quality Control;
Assist the sector in making raw material available;
Assist entrepreneurs in the export of their products;
Harness the benefits provided by the Government of India , Export Promotion Councils , various institutions /organizations etc in various field of activities;
Construct Craft villages;
Set up Export village centrally at Guwahati to improve product and market development;
As part of marketing strategy, sign MoU with the Tourism Department to allow sale of handicrafts at / from all its wayside amenities centres and tourism properties.

FISCAL INCENTIVES:

Following are the fiscal benefits available for Handicraft units (Detailed list at Annexure-I) of the State:

1 State Capital Investment Subsidy for Micro units:

Handicraft unit/ Raw Material Bank: Handicraft unit/ Raw Material Bank shall be granted State Capital Investment subsidy at 30% on the amount spent on workshop shed (only required for production activities), plant & machinery, tools, cost of land, installation & internal electrification subject to a maximum of Rs.15 lakh, subject to the condition that the applicant has not claimed similar subsidy under any other scheme of Central/State Government earlier.
Existing Units (Mechanization & Upgradation): State Capital Investment subsidy at 30% on the amount spent on subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakh, shall be granted to old handicraft units for mechanization and up-gradation of technology for mass production, standardization and quality control subject to the condition that the applicant has not claimed similar subsidy under any other scheme of Central/State Government earlier.

2 Marketing Assistance:

Marketing assistance towards issuance of Advertisement in print/electronic/social media shall be reimbursed upto 50% subject to a maximum ceiling of Rs. 30000.00 per annum for a period of three years.

3 Interest subsidy on Working capital:

Interest subsidy on working capital shall be provided to Handicraft unit at5 % of interest paid against working capital loan to Bank/Financial Institutions for a period of 5 years subject to a ceiling of Rs. 2.00 lakhs per unit/year.

4 Online marketing:

One- time financial assistance up Rs.30000.00 shall be provided for development of web portal/App for online marketing of products.

5 Awards to Handicraft:

Every year, 3 (three) Awards shall be given to the Handicraft units in each district of Assam. The Award shall be in Cash (1st at Rs.10000.00, 2nd at Rs.7000.00 and 3rd at Rs.5000.00) with a citation. These awards shall be given to the handicraft units on Independence Day/Republic day celebration or Annual Handicraft Week.

1st Prize: Rs. 10,000 + Citation 2nd Prize: Rs. 7,000 + Citation 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 + Citation

6 Assistance for Participation in Fairs / Exhibition:

Category	Stall Rent	Travel	Food & Lodging
Within the State :	reimbursement of Stall rent subject to a limit of Rs.7000 maximum	—	Rs. 500 per day as lump-sum grant on food and lodging expenses for a period of maximum 10 days or the date of actual fair , whichever is earlier
Outside the State but within India:	reimbursement of stall rent at 75% subject to a ceiling of Rs.10000 maximum	Actual railway sleeper Class to and fro fare	Rs. 500 per day on food and lodging expenses for two persons for a period of maximum 10 days or the date of actual fair , whichever is earlier
Outside India:	100% reimbursement of stall rent on sharing basis	Actual Economy Class to and fro Air fare	Rs. 1000 per day on food and lodging expenses for one person for a period of maximum 10 days or for the dates of actual fair , whichever is less

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING:

a There shall be a State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) under the Chairmanship of Minister of Industries and Commerce, Assam to review the progress of implementation of the Policy. The other members of the Committee shall be notified by the Government. The Committee shall be empowered to take up any review/ modification of incentives, programmes etc. in the interest of public.
b All incentives under this policy can be claimed only after obtaining the Photo Identity Card from the concerned General Manager, District Industries and Commerce Centre.

Eligibity

Handicraft Artisan/ Artisan/ Craftsman means any person engaged in/ practicing handicraft production as a source of his/ her livelihood.

Handicraft enterprise means, any enterprise exclusively engaged in production of handicrafts items or handicraft products produces in Common Facility Centre (CFC) and owned and managed by an artisan/ entrepreneur/ Self Help Group/ Co-operative Society/ NGO/ Partnership firm or a producer Company.

How to Apply:

Artisans shall be required to possess a Photo Identity Card to be able to enjoy any benefit under the policy. The District level officials shall identify the Artisans under their jurisdiction and issue Photo Identity Card for a period of 3 (three) years initially to be renewed every two years.

All incentives under this policy can be claimed only after obtaining the Photo Identity Card from the concerned General Manager, District Industries and Commerce Centre.

A set of guidelines including application forms and procedures for getting various incentives will be issued separately.