Question : PACKAGE FOR BIHAR FOR DEVELOPMENT OF HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFT

(a) whether the Government has received any demand from various sections of society to declare Bihar as Backward State in regard to Handloom and Handicraft Sector;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the action taken by the Government on such demand;

(d) whether Bihar Government has demanded any special package for development of Handloom and Handicraft in the State;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the year-wise details of the funds allocated by the Government to Bihar for promotion of Handloom and Handicraft in the State during the last three years?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES ( SHRI SHANKERSINH VAGHELA )

(a) No, Sir.

(b) & (c) Do not arise.

(d) Yes, Sir.

(e) A proposal was received from the Government of Bihar in July, 2004 seeking sanction of funds to the tune of Rs. 87.10 crore for the handloom weavers as special package. Under the proposal, the Government of Bihar had sought sanction of funds on a number of heads which were not covered under any of the Schemes being implemented by this office. The proposal, in original, was therefore, returned to the State Government with a request to segregate the components scheme wise and send projects in accordance with the guidelines of the Schemes of this office. The same is awaited.

(f) The details of funds released by the Central Government under various schemes for development and promotion of Handloom and Handicraft sectors in the State of Bihar during the last three years are as under:-

Funds released for Handloom Sector (Rupees in Lakhs)
Year	Funds released
2001-02	6.50	2002-03	6.25	2003-04	110.42
Funds released for Handicraft Sector (Rupees in Lakhs)
Year	Funds released
2001-02	82.31	2002-03	11.80	2003-04	9.64