The office of India's Development Commissioner (handicrafts) has started inviting applications to participate in the marketing events through its just-launched online portal.
- This project will be a fully digitised marketing platform for handicraft artisans across the country.
- India is the single largest producer of handlooms and handmade textiles in the world.
- About 2.9 million artisans are registered under the Pehchan scheme, which is a mandatory requirement for participating.
The project: According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Textiles, around 200 domestic marketing events are currently organised annually in different parts of the country with an aim to support the artisans in selling their produce.
- The online process—starting with the application to selection and finally stall allotment—is completely computerised, without any human interface.
- The online process will provide equal, fair and transparent opportunity to all artisans.
- Broad guidelines on submission of application have been circulated to all concerned with a purpose to educate the artisans.
Making it easy: All eligible artisans can now apply online for access to marketing events.
- An artisan may login with a Pehchan card number, followed by authentication with an OTP sent on the registered mobile number.
- The process of receipt of application, selection and allotment for all the marketing events, including those at Dilli Haat, shall be made through this portal alone.
- The practice of inviting physical application for participation in domestic marketing event has now been dispensed with.
