The Standing Committee on labour has hauled the textiles ministry for under-utilisation of funds allocated for the development of artisans during the 10 th five-year plan (April 2002-March 2007). The panel also found the ministry took into account only a small portion of artisans while setting the targets that were not attained.

The government targeted to cover 1.48 lakh artisans under Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana, 1.17 lakh under marketing and support promotion scheme and export promotion scheme, 2.93 lakh under Bima Yojana, 0.50 lakh under design scheme, and 1.54 lakh under ID card scheme. The unattained goals were lower when compared to the data of 1995-96, the last official figures available. As per census 1995-96, 47.61 lakh artisans were employed in the sector, excluding those working in cooperative societies and clusters. At present, the strength of the sector is estimated to have increased to 67 lakh, considering the government projected annual growth of 3.5% in the number of artisans.

On being questioned about fixing lower targets, the textiles ministry told the committee that the schemes were directly proportional to the budgetary support. But to the ministry?s dismay, it could not spend the total sum allocated for the schemes. ?From the lesser allocation of Rs 425 crore for the handicraft sector during the 10 th plan period, approximately Rs 50 crore could not be spent due to improper planning of the schemes,? the committee, headed by CPI national deputy secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy, said in its report submitted in Parliament in October.

The committee listed the reasons for under-spending of allocated sum as non-receipt of viable proposals, non-settlement of pending utilisation certificates, non-completion of design centres and less demand from implementing agencies.

In the 11 th growth plan also, the ministry is unlikely to spend the allocated amount of Rs 1,257 crore-triple the sum given for the last plan period-as it will have to depend on the old data, regardless of fact the fresh census has been arranged for in the beginning of the current fiscal.

The census 2008-09 is proposed to cover 20% of the 600 districts in the country every year. This way, the data compilation would end only after termination of the 11 th plan period. Also, the figures in areas covered in the first phase would change by the time the census completes. ?The implementation of developmental and welfare schemes based on assumption of figures of artisans will not be of any consequence as the quantum of money and machinery cannot be determined in the absence of correct data resulting in non-fulfillment of the target fixed under the schemes,? the committee stated.

?It will be in the fitness of things if a one-time survey is carried out to cover the entire strength of artisans and the current process of covering 20% of the districts every year should be continued thereafter to keep the data updated,? it added. The panel also suggested the textiles ministry to services of specialised agencies like the National Sample Survey Organisation for collecting a scientific data.

The panel suggested the ministry to revise the schemes and ?If need be the ministry of finance and planning commission should be urged to enhance the budgetary allocations to meet the increased targets?.

Labour pain

•From the allocation of Rs 425 cr for the handicraft sector during the 10th Plan period, approximately Rs 50 crore could not be spent due to improper planning of the schemes

• In the 11th Plan also, the ministry is unlikely to spend the allocated amount of Rs 1,257 cr as it will have to depend on the old data