With Smarth Yojana artisans of Jharkhand to become Samarth: CM

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das said that there was no dearth of talent among the artisans, handicrafts makers, weavers and sculptors of the state as art in every aspect was deeply rooted in the life of the state.

Addressing the people after the state government signed an MOU with Flipkart at the project building here he said that the day was a momentous one for the artisans of the state and exuded confidence that after this tie up the crafts and traditional art forms of the state will get access to national market and the e-commerce platform will bring together the art, traditional skills and knowledge. He said that the artisans of the state will be benefitted with this agreement.

Mr Das said that preparations have been made to bring the thousands of artisans, weavers and handicraft workers on the e-Commerce platform. He said that to promote the bamboo, Khadi and handicraft makers and keeping in mind the changing times and to provide them a larger platform of online shopping the state government has decided to tie up with Flipkart under Samarth Yojana. He said that post this tie up the prestige of the lakhs of artisans, weavers and craftsmen will increase in the national market.

The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi bamboo production was made separate from the forest department. He said that the artisans involved in the bamboo making had to face lots of trouble as bamboo was under the forest department.

He said that the decision of the state government will be beneficial to the farmers of the state as Jharkhand has 33 percent forest cover. He said that as per law the farmers can now cultivate bamboo at the end of their farms and on barren land so that there is no problem of bamboo supply.

The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded focus on e-governance. He said that people living in the villages should get facilities of marketing by sitting in their homes.

Mr Das said through e-market successfully goods are being sold in the market. Mr Das said that all the people who are involved with the handicrafts sector in the state they are being registered.

He said that the artisans, handicrafts makers and weavers will be given identity cards. Industries Secretary K Ravi Kumar said that the state government has taken the initiative for the benefits of the bamboo khadi and handicraft artisans.

He said that the government was in favour of providing a platform to the artisans and Samarth will help the artisans to sell their products on the platform. He said that by typing Samarth on the mobile app the people will be able to see the products.