A comparative socio-economic study of artisans

in three areas i.e. Nasriganj, Gosaitola and Budha colony of Patna Sadar

NIDAN

Introduction:

Artisan is the second largest employment in India after agriculture, yet lots of crisis in developing artisans

work and misunderstanding of industry. There is neglect and ignorance in using of Indian traditional

products such as weaving of sari or shawl or kullhar for drinking tea. The idea has been changed in living

style of Western countries.

The handicraft and handloom sector primarily belongs to economically and socially weaker sections of the

society in the rural part of the country. Artisans who belong to one community, are not identified by the

caste or creed they belong to, rather their identity stands by their unique traits and authentic features. The

village communities of artisans have always been the centre of the traditional crafts of India.

For the improvement of a less developed state like Bihar, it is necessary to educate people and to train them

in various skills and crafts so that they can improve their living conditions by flourishing in the sector.

In this context, the department of labour commission of India launched a scheme known as “Supply of

Improved Toolkits to Rural Artisans (SITRA)” in July 1992 with the objective to enable the rural artisans

below poverty line to improve the quality of raw materials, to enhance the production, their income and

quality of life. Now, this program has been merged with a new self employment programme i.e Swarn

Jayanti Swarojar Yojna (SJSY). The Swarn Jayanti Rozgar Yojna seeks to provide gainful employment to

the urban and rural unemployed and underemployed poor by encouraging self-employment ventures, or by

the provision of wage employment. This programme provides financial aids and subsidy for the self

employment.

This sector has a vast potential to generate self employment, which is not widely known and quantified. The

poor women, who remain at home and are unemployed, can be trained in this field, so that their economic

standard is strengthened. The artisan work can be encouraged among unemployed men and women of urban

area so that government and public institution take initiative to explore marketing in the state as well

outside.

Methodology of study:

Sample size of artisans were 30 who selected on random basis and data collected through interview

schedule. The respondent belong from three places of Patna Sadar i.e. Nasriganj, Gosaitola and Budha

colony who all are women artisans.

Background of the study:

In first phase of study done with the same respondents who received artisan card with the help of

ANGANA. This is a comparative study of artisans of Patna Sadar who after received their artisans card.

Within six months no major impact have found among the artisans in their socio-economic life. There are

various types of artisan work but most of the respondents are specialized in suzani, appliqué and designing

jute bag. The socio economic condition of these artisans is very poor therefore even after getting artisan card

they do other means of livelihood activities to sustain their life. All the respondents are women and who

have been doing artisan work for more than six months.

The study wants to show both impact and failure after getting artisan card to receive government benefit

under the schemes and changes in their socio economic life.

Artisan Credit Card/Artisan Identity Card

All artisans involving production/manufacturing process and otherwise eligible for credit facilities for

carrying out the proposed activities under any of the existing bank schemes.

• Artisans registered with Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) would be given preference.

• Clusters of artisans and artisans who have joined to form Self Help Groups (SHGs).

• All existing artisans borrowers of the bank enjoying credit facilities up to ` 2.00 lahks having

satisfactory dealing with the bank

• Beneficiaries of other Government Sponsored Loan Schemes will not be eligible for coverage under

ACC Scheme.

The benefit linked to Artisan cards;

• Artisan can avail loan up to 2 lacks of financial assistance from bank under artisan credit card

scheme with 15% of subsidy

• Insurance coverage for accidental death and group insurance is also done under Rajiv Gandhi Shilpa

Swastha Bima Yojna Scheme

• Insurance for securities created out of Bank Loan are to be covered beyond Rs. 25,000/- limit.

• Rate of interest may depend upon RBI guidelines

• They can set up stalls free of charge in any Artisan fair in all over India

Highlights of findings:

1. Family income of respondents per month after receiving the artisan card

FIGURE NO.1 income in previous study

Out of the 30, a maximum of 10 artisans have a monthly income between Rs. 5000-10000, while 7 of the

have between Rs. 10000-15000 of income every month in the family. Artisan having income less than Rs

5000 and more than Rs 20000 are 5 each. Only 3 artisans earn between Rs15000-20000, which is least in

number. Apart from the artisan work they also work in fields or as labourers etc to increase their income.

According previous study done there is not much difference in income of artisan per month but some have

increased up to 20000 thousand.

2. Family expenditure of respondents after getting the artisan card

Due to inflation, the prices of commodities are soaring up. Consequently, their expenditure is not only

increasing but in few cases is exceeding the income.

Nine artisans have expenditure between Rs 8000-11000. And none of them have expenditure below Rs

2000. While 8 of them spend between Rs 2000-5000 and 7 of them spend between Rs 5000-8000. And 6

artisans have expenditure more than Rs 11000.

Another reason behind this is that most of them have large families; each family having at least 5 members,

therefore expenditure of the family is high. Respondents depending upon the artisan work which is

providing less income and that is very low to lead the family. They struggle to start self reliable business of

handicraft products, where they do not have enough capital to sustain.

FIGURE NO.2

3. Family saving of respondents after getting the artisan card

Savings are important in order to sustain and expand business. If one does not save there is no scope to

prosper.

Most of the artisans do not save much because of lack of financial planning. A maximum of 9 artisans save

below Rs1000 while only 2 of them save more than Rs 5000. 5 of them save between Rs 1000-2000 and 4

artisans’ mange between Rs 3000-4000. 8 artisans have Rs 2000-3000 as their savings and 2 of them have

between Rs 4000-5000.

This is mainly because they don’t plan properly when, where and how much to spend. Also because of their

huge expenses, very little amount is left for saving.

FIGURE NO.3

4. Reasons for not taking loan from banks

Loan helps artisans to expand their business, take risk with new services or products, start up own business.

0

2

4

6

8

10

BELOW

2000

2000-5000 5000-8000 8000-11000 11000 AND

MORE

0

87

9

6

NO

OF

RE

SP

ON

DE

NT

S

MONTHLY EXPENDITURE

MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF ARTISANS

AFTER RECEIVING THE ARTISAN CARD

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

BELOW 1000 1000-2000 2000-3000 3000-4000 4000-5000 5000 AND

MORE

9

5

8

4

2 2

NO

OF

RE

SP

ON

DE

NT

S

MONTHLY SAVINGS OF ARTISANS AFTER RECEIVING THE ARTISAN CARD

Though Artisan Card provides a benefit of taking loans from government but none of the artisans could

make use of it. 57% of respondents say that due lack of awareness they have not taken loan from bank, who

have been holding the card for more than a year. Only 13% of respondents say that due long procedure of

bank they are not interested and 13% of respondents do not require loan from bank.

FIGURE NO.4

To become self reliable, artisan should have some capital but due to ignorance they have not taken loan form

bank. It seems that artisans have not been educated on the schemes under which they suppose to get the

benefit.

5. Sources of Finance other than banks

Government has option to provide loan for artisans under ACC scheme on low rate of interest but due to

ignorance respondents do not take loan from bank rather they take loan from their relatives, friends, money

lenders etc. The below figure shows that 57% artisans borrow money when required from friends and

relatives and 30% lend from money lenders for their business and home purpose.

FIGURE NO.5

13%

57%

7%

13%

10%

REASONS FOR NOT TAKING LOANS FROM BANK

LONG PROCEDURES

LACK OF AWARENESS

HIGH RATE OF INTEREST

LOAN NOT REQUIRED

INADEQUATE INCOME

6. a. Participation in Artisan Fairs

Artisan Card gives an opportunity to participate and open stalls in any fair all over India without charging

any fee. The below figure shows the participation of artisan in fair

Out of 30, 12 artisans participated in various fairs using their Artisan Card even outside Bihar. None of them

were charged any fee for opening their stalls. This number is likely to increase in future.

FIGURE NO.6

The rest 18 artisans, who could not participate, though they were willing but couldn’t get permission from

their husbands and family members, this was their challenge for them and few of them could not go because

they were unable to take out time as they were busy in their household chores.

6. b. Benefit from participation in Artisan Fairs

All the 12 artisans who participated in fairs were benefitted in some way or the other. Most of them saw an

increase in their income and profits. During the participation in artisan fair their skills, methods and

knowledge were enhanced and also got exposure that how an artisan should do in a creative manner. They

improved their marketing skills. They shared ideas and experiences when they had interactions with the

other artisans. After getting exposure in artisan fair, there was increment in work as their work was

recognised as well as advertised which helped them to get bulk orders for their items. They also got an idea

about the demands of the customers which helped them in making the required modifications in their work

7. Benefit of Medical Insurance

The Artisan Card provides the benefit in receiving medical insurance which ensures a sense of social

security in their lives. The premium is paid by government and beneficiary in the ration of 60:40

respectively.

40%

60%

Participated in Artisan Fair

Participation in fair

No participated

FIGURE NO. 7

However, out of 30 only 4 of them could apply with great difficulty. Amongst the 4 artisans, 2 of them did

not get the insurance claim though they had submitted their documents. The reason why all 4 of them took

insurance was because of illness of any near ones.

87% of artisans did not apply for insurance due to lack of awareness and even some of them are aware of the

scheme but due to having lots of procedure they did not apply for it. Insurance is for the security of life but

when poor people do not deserve it, we need to make them understand about the scheme and criteria for

getting the claim.

8. a. Comparison of income of the artisan before and after getting card

As we can see in below chart that previously 13 artisans had their income below Rs5000 but after getting the

artisan card it was reduced to only 5. Also 17 artisans had their income between Rs 5000-10000, but after

getting the card it was reduced to 10. While none of them earned 10000 or more before getting their card, 7

artisans started earning between 10000-15000, 3 artisans between Rs 15000-20000 and 5 of them more than

Rs 20000.

FIGURE NO.8

4, 13%

26, 87%

Usage of Medical Insurance by artisan

Applied

Not Applied

0

5

10

15

20

Blow 5000 5000-10000 10000-15000 15000-20000 Above 20000

13

17

0 0 0

5

10

7

3

5

Comparision of income before and after getting artisan

card

Income before getting artisan card

8. b. Change in income after receiving the artisan card

A total of 15 artisans saw their income increasing as compared to before. This is because they could use

their card effectively. Their participation in fairs helped them to get more work, income and profit. And few

who could get the benefit of medical insurance, which boosted their career.

The income of other 15 artisans remained unchanged because they could not make use of the advantages of

the card mainly due to lack of awareness.

FIGURE NO.9

9. Comparison of expenditure of the artisans before and after getting artisan card

Only 2 artisans had their income below Rs 2000 before getting the artisan card and now no artisans have

their expenditure below 2000. 13 artisans had their income between Rs2000- 5000, which reduced to 8

artisans after getting the card. However, only 7 artisans had their expenditure between Rs 8000-11000 which

increased to 9 after getting the card. Also, no artisan had expenditure more than Rs 11000. This number

increased to 6 after getting the card. 8 artisans had their income between Rs 2000-5000 which was reduced

to 7 after getting the card.

FIGURE NO.10

Out of 30, 8 artisans saw an increase in their expenditure. This was mainly because as their income

increased their purchasing power rose up. Thus, they started spending more.

50%50%

CHANGE IN INCOME

INCREASED NO CHANGE

And for rest 32, their expenditure remained unchanged. The reason being, inefficient use of Artisan Card

due to which their income did not increase. Therefore, expenditure remained constant.

Also, few whose income increased, choose to save instead of spending, hence their expenditure was also

same as before.

10.a Comparison of saving of the artisans before and after getting artisan card

Saving is one of the indicators which shows the improvement and changes of life among artisans which is

gradually improving their standard of life.

FIGURE NO. 11

The above figure shows that 19 artisans could not save anything and only 9 artisans could save which is

below Rs 1000 before they received artisan card. While after getting the card, 9 artisan’s savings is below

Rs. 1000 which remained constant as before. While artisans saving between Rs 1000-2000 increased from 1

to 5 artisans after getting the card. Moreover, artisans saving between Rs 2000-3000 increased from 1 to 8

after getting the card.

Also now 4 artisans could save between Rs 3000-4000, 2 artisans between Rs 4000-5000 and 2 artisans

could manage more than Rs 5000.

10. b. Change in saving of artisans

Most of the artisans that is 63% of them could see change in their savings after receiving card. This is

because as their income increased and expenditure remained constant, therefore they could save more which

has strengthened their family. However the savings of 37% of artisans was same as before because they have

not taken initiative to expand their business as well effort which we can understand from the below figure.

19

9

1 10 0 00

9

58

4 2

2

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Saving before getting

artisan card

Saving getting after

artisan card

FIGURE NO.12

Overall socio economic changes observed after receiving the artisan card

Though there have not been any significant changes in their standard of living in these 6 months, but still

there is scope of a lot of development.

Artisans after becoming aware of the fact of getting loans want to start their own business or get proper

training to excel in this field. They want to open up their own stalls rather than opening on behalf any other

enterprise.

They Artisan Card also instil a sense of individuality and identity in them. Others, who felt that this sector is

being neglected now, feel that government is trying and making efforts to improve their condition.

Many of them have recommended their fellow artisans to get a card if they do not have. This shows that they

believe this Card is beneficial and will help them.

Conclusion and recommendation:

Recommendation

• About 57% of the artisans are not aware of the loan provided through Artisan Credit Card scheme

which shows that organization and other institution needs to sensitize and aware the artisans on the

programme and information related to schemes. So that more number of artisan get benefited, also

their rights to demand to be generated.

• Awareness creation could be arranged by organizing workshop and seminars on different artisan

credit card schemes, bank linkage and loaning, developing market and providing capacity building

on productivity and marketing

• It is very important that advocacy and networking with banks and other financial institutions to be

strengthened so that scheme is properly implemented. It is also seen that artisans do not flourish their

trade due to difficulties with and challenges with government and banks.

• About 40% of respondents got opportunity to participate and expose in artisan fair, which has

provided them self confident and lots of learning. These learnings have boosted them to increase

63%

37%

Change is saving habbit

Increased

Decreased

their income and saving as well. So it would be better that artisans are encouraged to participate in

artisans fair and can be organized at local level promote more number of artisans with the

cooperation of government and other private enterprises.

• For the recognition of artisan government should take initiative to set up training institute and

promote usage of artisan products in and around the state. Time to time government should reward

artisans in order to motivate them developing their skills.

• To have successful implementation of the scheme government should create a team with the

combination of non government organization and private enterprises taking into the consideration of

difficulties and challenges of artisans.

CONCLUSION

India is rich in having traditional handicrafts which is ever glorious but during colonial period it slowly

started washing down the rich culture of India. Now Indian government has set up modern textiles and

industries of modern product which has threaten the environment by using plastic and chemical materials.

The national planning has failed to promote the visibility of local artisan craft rather promoting for huge

product of western items. There is a chance to nurture the significance of local artisan product and to safe

guard Indian culture.

This sector requires the advocacy of the government for flourishing and enhancing its product in the market.

The artisan work should receive proper recognition in the society. There are lots of institutions for

promoting modern design and it has been the career and profession for modern age of people. It is the time

for the government to recognise and raise similar type of technical training to encourage for self

employment of artisan who has been involved in their life to survive and beatify the world through natural

products.