The Centre is toying with the idea of setting up a separate marketing federation on the lines of TRIFED for artisans and handicraft persons belonging to the Other Backward Classes.
The 12th Plan document, which was approved by the Planning Commission, underlined the need for setting up a separate marketing federation to meet the marketing needs of artisans and handicraft persons to belonging to OBCs.
Sources said that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is considering a proposal for setting up a marketing federation. The plan document suggested that the main activities of the marketing federation would include cluster development of the artisans engaged particularly in arts and crafts, training for upgradation of their skills and exhibition of their products to showcase their work both in India and abroad. The plan document suggested that the proposed federation should also open marketing outlets to appreciate, reward and popularise successful models of products.
These popular models can be replicated by others, and a brand name for the products to be sold under the proposed marketing federation can be established. The plan document, in appraisal of the Eleventh plan, said that the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) has not been able to disburse loans as per the allocation of states.
“A critical assessment of the working of the corporation over a period of five to 10 years has brought forth a most revealing truth that it is heavily dependent on governmental assistance,” the plan document said.