State Revenue, Cooperatives and Rural Engineering Minister Yashpal Arya said that the State Government will take concrete steps to preserve the dying out handicrafts of Uttarakhand. Chairing the meet of the handicrafts promotion council here on Thursday, the Minister said that the Government will work on establishment of an institute for this purpose. After establishment of this institution, experienced craftsmen will be appointed and provided an allowance in order to derive the benefit of their experience and skills. Stressing that dying out handicrafts will be rejuvenated and preserved, he said that a work plan will be drafted for this purpose. A survey will be conducted district-wise to identify and list experienced artisans and old and dying out crafts will be developed to encourage the artisans. Former MP Pradeep Tamta suggested that an institute should be formed on this purpose and developed technically on the lines of Industrial Training Institute/polytechnic. Handicrafts should also be given a fillip from the cultural point of view to motivate the public to participate in the efforts to preserve traditional handicrafts. The institute to be formed for this purpose should be also be developed into a research institution to provide vocational training to the SC/ST and other artisans, he suggested.
Former State Minister Ram Prasad Tamta suggested that a trust should be formed in the name of Hariprasad Tamta to facilitate employment to artisans and thereby preserve dying out handicrafts.