For 2024-2025, an allocation of Rs.20 crore has been made for implementation of this scheme, benefitting 10,000 persons per annum, from the current year.
In order to implement the above announcement, the Industries Commissioner and Director of Industries and Commerce has sent the following proposal to the Government.
Tamil Nadu is home to a large section of skilled artisans engaged in diverse art and craft trades such as sculpting, pottery, weaving, tailoring, jewel making etc., Their rich skill sets reflect in multiple artisanal products such as the Mahabalipuram Stone Sculptures, Dindigul Locks, Manamadurai Pottery, Kovai Kora Cotton Sarees, Toda Embroidery among many others.
A key challenge limiting the growth of artisans and their businesses is the lack of timely and sufficient access to finance. Additionally, to help these skilled artisans evolve into successful artisan-entrepreneurs in a rapidly changing environment, they require support through business facilitation services, including upskilling, branding assistance, marketing linkages, and access to modern tools and infrastructure.
II. Objectives of "Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam"
In view of the above, it was envisioned to create a progressive artisans development credit linked subsidy scheme "Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam" which includes:
Subsidy linked credit scheme: To support eligible artisans set up or expand their existing businesses so as to make the venture more enterprising to be in line with the latest techniques and trends that are in vogue instead of their customary way of practising their trades.
Skill development: Focus on upskilling and modernisation.
Branding & Marketing support: Provide artisans with branding and marketing support, focusing on product innovation, diversification, and contempor-isation, while enabling scale-up through formation of artisan enterprise groups and collectives.
Common Facility Centres (CFC): Provide Common Facility Centres for such trades / professions which exists as a Cluster.
III. List of Identified Artisanal Trades Covered (25 Trades)
Carpentry
Metal works (including blacksmithery, armouring and tool works)
Masonry
Painting
Glassworks
Stucco works (Sudhai velai)
Boat making
Lock making
Sculpting / Stone carving
Pottery (including terracotta works)
Basket, mat, broom making and rope weaving
Doll / toy making
Garland making
Fishnet making
Tailoring
Jewel making
Hair designing and grooming
Washing, ironing and laundry
Leather handicrafts and footwear making
Traditional musical instrument making
Weaving and embroidery
Traditional textile printing
Beadworks
Bamboo, cane, jute, palm leaf works
Tribal natural harvests and artisanal products
IV. Scheme Guidelines
The proposed draft guidelines for implementation of "Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam" includes:
Scheme introduction
List of trades covered
Eligibility criteria
Benefits under Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam:
Credit linked subsidy support
Training: Skill development training & Entrepreneurship development training programme (EDP)
Access to modern facilities etc.
Marketing support
Scheme operationalization framework
Scheme monitoring framework
V. Financial Implications
It is projected that Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam will benefit 10,000 beneficiaries annually, with approximately 3,000 beneficiaries supported under credit-linked subsidy.
