Rajasthan Handicrafts Policy-2022: The State Cabinet of Rajasthan recently gave approval to the Rajasthan Handicrafts Policy-2022.

Key Points:

• The approval was given at a meeting of the State Cabinet which was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Ashok Gehlot on 27th August.
• The main objective of this policy is to help the development of 6 lakh craftsman and artisans by empowering them which in turn will ensure their participation in the development of the state which will lead to increase in new employment opportunities.
• The Rajasthan Cabinet also cleared a proposal to form an audit authority that will assess the performance of government departments and agencies implementing welfare schemes.

Key Points of the Policy:

• The policy will help in the upliftment of handicraft artisans by empowering them.
• New employment opportunities will also be created in the state.
• Handicrafts on the verge of extinction will be revived.
• Under the new policy, National-level Handicrafts Week will be organized every year in December and artisan will be felicitated.
• The Government departments will make provision to buy products up to Rs 10 lakh from registered artisans through e-market without tender.

The following facilities will be ensured under the policy.

• Brand building of handicrafts,
• Assistance for online marketing,
• Social security,
• Loan facility,
• Scholarship,
• Assistance for participation in fairs,
• Expansion of infrastructure facilities in Craft Village,
• Setting up handicraft park, museum, design center and sales center.

• A Handicraft Design Center will also be set up in Jodhpur to study the techniques and designs used in other states and countries so as to promote new techniques or processes for the products in the state.

• This center will be set up as a ‘Centre of Excellence’.

• To ensure better implementation of the policy, a state-level monitoring committee headed by State Industries and Commerce Minister will be also be formed.

Rajasthan Social and Performance Audit Authority:

• According to a release, the Cabinet approved the formation of the Rajasthan Social and Performance Audit Authority to ensure transparency, public participation and quality services.
• Doctors, engineers, professors, architects, economists, information technology specialists and other experts will be part of the authority.
• The performance of government departments and agencies implementing schemes/programmes will be assessed.
• Benefits of schemes will reach beneficiaries more easily, conveniently and in a time-bound manner.