• As many as 31.14 lakh handicraft artisans across the country have registered under the Pehchan scheme of ministry of textiles.

• Pehchan scheme was launched in October 2016 to provide a new identity to handicraft artisans so that the benefits of various schemes are provided to the deserving artisans. 

• Aadhaar-linked Pehchan Cards are issued after due verification by field functionaries of Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), ministry of textiles. 

• Pehchan card holders can avail the benefits of all the handicrafts schemes implemented by the ministry.

• Registered artisans with Pehchan card can avail the benefits of the National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) of the ministry.

Handicrafts Sector in India

• The handicrafts sector plays a significant and important role in the country’s economy. 

• It provides employment to a vast segment of craftspersons in rural and semi urban areas and generates substantial foreign exchange for the country, while preserving its cultural heritage. 

• Handicrafts constitute an important segment of the unorganised sector of our economy.

• It is mainly a rural based sector and has its presence in backward and in-accessible areas also. 

• Handicraft started as a part time activity in the rural areas, however it has now transformed into a flourishing economic activity due to significant domestic and global market demand over the years. 

• Handicrafts have great potential, as they hold the key for sustaining not only the existing set of millions of artisans spread over length and breadth of the country, but also for the increasingly large number of new entrants in the crafts activity.

• Presently, handicrafts contribute substantially to employment generation and exports.

• The handicraft sector has, however, suffered due to unorganised nature of sector, with the additional constraints of lack of education, low capital, poor exposure to new technologies, absence of market intelligence, and a poor institutional framework.

• The sector is estimated to employ 68.86 lakh artisans, out of which 30.25 lakhs are male and 38.61 lakhs are female artisans.

• Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) implements various schemes for promotion and development of handicrafts sector under National Handicraft Development Programme (NHDP) and Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) to emphasize integrated approach for development of handicraft cluster in a holistic manner.

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