DMPQ: Short note on USTTAD Scheme.

The scheme “Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) was launched in May, 2015.  “Shilp Utsav” component of the scheme has been implemented through ”National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) to provide support to minority craftsmen/ artisans for marketing their products. The Ministry has also engaged Knowledge Partners viz. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and National Institute of Design (NID) to work in various clusters for design intervention; product range development; packaging; exhibitions, fashion shows and publicity; tying up with e-marketing portals to enhance sales; and brand building. Both the institutions have identified total 36 craft clusters with 20-30 artisans in each cluster for their capacity building.