The Ministry of Minority Affairs proposed the Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme for promoting the heritage of traditional crafts and arts of minorities. This scheme aims to train and upgrade the skills of artisans from minority communities, thus preserving traditional ancestral arts and crafts practised by them. 

USTTAD Scheme full form

The full form of USTTAD Scheme is Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme.

Objectives of the USTTAD Scheme

• To build the capacity of artisans and craftsmen through the training of youth.
• To set up standards for identified crafts and their documentation.
• To create linkages of traditional skills with the global market.
• To increase the employability of workers, school dropouts, etc.
• To help minorities avail opportunities in the global market.
• To create a better livelihood for marginalised minorities.
• To ensure the dignity of labour.
• To develop design and research in traditional arts and crafts.
• To showcase traditional craft and art skills, including culinary skills, through exhibitions and provide a platform to enlarge business opportunities.
• To preserve languishing arts and crafts.
• To recognise talented master craftsmen and artisans.

Scope of the USTTAD Scheme

The USTTAD scheme aims at upgrading the skills of traditional artisans and craftsmen. The trained artisans will further train the youth belonging to the minority community in several specific traditional arts and crafts. The Ministry of Minority conducts the skill development programme under the USTTAD scheme for all-important traditional arts and crafts practised by minority communities.

Components of the USTTAD Scheme

The USTTAD scheme has the following programmes:

Upgradation of skills and training in traditional arts or crafts through institutions

The institutional framework will implement this component of the USTTAD scheme. The ministry will provide certificate and diploma courses on traditional arts and crafts to the Project Implementing Agency (PIA), recognised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, DC handicrafts, or the sectoral export promotion council.

Eligibility criteria of PIAs

• Societies registered under the Societies Registration Act for at least three years and have experience conducting traditional skill development courses with market linkages.
• Private registered or recognised professional Institution having three years of experience.
• Industry or association of industries, like CII, ASSOCHAM FICCI, etc., who have training centres.
• An institution of central or state government, which includes public sector undertakings, universities and training institutes, having the capacity to conduct training programmes.

Eligible trainees and beneficiaries 

• Training should belong to the minority community.
• 25% of candidates should belong to BPL families of the non-minority community.
• 3% of seats will be reserved for differently-abled citizens belonging to the minority community.
• The age of trainees should be between 14 to 45 years. A relaxation in the upper age limit is provided for differently-abled persons belonging to minorities.
• The minimum educational qualification for the trainee is class 5. There is a relaxation for the differently abled persons in the minimum educational qualification. 
• When more than one family member fulfils the eligibility criteria, the scheme’s benefit will extend to them.

Duration of course curriculum

• The minimum duration of the course is two months, and the maximum is one year.
• The duration and curriculum will be as per the module of DC handicrafts, MSDE, sectoral export promotion council or development knowledge partners.
• Training on IT, soft skills, spoken English, etc., will also be included in the course.
• The training will be provided for a minimum of five hours.

Pattern of funding

• The USTTAD scheme is a 100% central sector scheme implemented by the ministry through PIAs.
• The ministry will bear approved project costs as per prescribed financial norms.
• An incentive of 2% of the project cost is payable to the PIAs.

USTTAD apprenticeship stipend for research and development

Under this component, all individuals will get a yearly apprenticeship stipend for:

• Carrying out research in the traditional arts and crafts field.
• Maintaining the sustainability of traditional art and craft.
• Product, new designs and technology development.
• Carrying out improvement in the conditions of minority master craftsmen and artisans.
• Establishing a market limited to traditional arts and crafts.
• Carrying out innovation in traditional crafts and arts to match the market demand.

Eligibility of applicants

• Applicants must belong to the notified minority community.
• Applicants should be postgraduates with at least 50% marks from a recognised institution in leather design, textile design, carpet design or similar fields.
• Applicants must be admitted to universities or institutions for M.Phil or PhD.
• Applicants’ age should not be more than 35 years.
• 33% of seats of the annual target will be reserved for minority girls or women.

Funding pattern

• The rates of senior fellowship will be applicable as per the University Grant Commission (UGC). 
• The total duration of the fellowship award is three years.
• An amount of Rs.18,000 per month will be provided for the first and second years.
• An amount of Rs.20,000 per month will be provided for the third year.
• If the research is not completed within three years, the fellowship can be extended for another year at Rs.20,000 per month with the approval of the competent authority.
• The ministry will transfer the funds into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts half-yearly.

Support craft museum for curating traditional arts/crafts

Under this component, the below organisations will get financial assistance from the ministry for curating traditional arts and crafts:

• Craft museum.
• Private museum.
• State museum.
• National museum.
• Other organisations having expertise and a reputation for curating traditional arts and crafts.

Funding

• One project grant of up to Rs.20 lakh will be given on a project-to-project basis.
• The sanctioning committee will examine and consider the project.
• The funds will be released in three instalments.
• The first instalment will consist of 30% of the project cost.
• The first instalment will be released after the project’s approval and entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between parties.
• The second instalment will be 50% project cost.
• The second instalment will be released after the utilisation of 60% of the first instalment.
• The third instalment will be 20% of the project cost and will be released upon:
  • Submission of the audited utilisation certificate.
  • Submission of deliverables required in the project verified by the authorised agency through random physical verification.
  • Submission of the project completion report.

Hunar Haat and Shilp Utsav - Support minority craftsmen and artisans in marketing their products

The following implementation agencies are responsible for organising Hunar Haat and Shilp Utsav:

• National minorities development. 
• Finance corporation.
• State channelising agencies of National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC).
• State handicraft corporations.
• Central or state handicraft handloom council.
• Hunar hubs in the state.
• Any other project implementation agencies with expertise in organising traditional craft marketing events.

The Ministry of Minority Affairs is the nodal agency for implementing Hunar Haat and Shilp Utsav. The ministry will fund 100% and release the funds in two instalments of 50% each. The participants of Hunar Haat and Shilp Utsav are craft men or artisans. The number of stalls in the exhibition will be around 50-100. The duration of the exhibition will be one to three weeks. 

USTTAD SAMMAN to outstanding master craftsmen and artisans

The government introduced the USTTAD Samman award for the craftsman in 2017. This award is for craft persons who showcase outstanding craftsmanship, contributions, and development. Every year ten craftsmen will receive this award. It will encourage them to continue with their crafts enthusiastically and productively.

Eligibility for award

• Applicant must be a permanent resident of India.
• Applicant must belong to a minority community.
• The age of the applicants should be more than 30 years.
• The applicant must have ten years of experience in the craft field.

Contents of award

• A cash price of Rs.1,00,000.
• Copper plaque.
• Angavastram.

Selection criteria of applicants/craftsmen

• The applicant should have excellent craftsmanship.
• Applicants will be judged from the samples and resumes.
• Special consideration will be provided for languishing crafts and innovative prototypes.
• A central-level selection committee will make the selection.

USTTAD Scheme application process

The Ministry of Minority will invite proposals for the USTTAD scheme through an advertisement in the newspaper and its official portal. The ministry committee will verify the proposals based on the criteria for enrollment of implementing agency. The concerned authority will verify and approve the credentials of the applicants or organisations.  

Implementation of the USTTAD Scheme

• The USTTAD scheme is implemented under the National Commission for Minorities Act 1992 to promote and preserve traditional arts and crafts practised by minority communities.
• The government will implement this scheme throughout the country.
• The PIA develops the course modules in consultation with the master trainees and knowledge partners.
• PIA will engage with the master trainer, who should be a well-known master craftsman and artisan in the traditional art and craft field.
• One master craftsman for a maximum of 100 trainees under the particular craft will be provided.
• Preference is given to the projects with national/state awardee master craftsmen, artisans, and national merit certificate holders.
• The PIA should assess the potential self-employment market in a particular area in advance.
• The PIA will consider activating mechanisms with the industry for buyer-seller meet and exhibitions to spread awareness of traditional crafts or arts.
• The PIA will arrange certificates from knowledge partners and agencies registered with sectoral export promotion councils.
• For self-employment, the PIA will arrange microfinance or loans for trained youth through the NMDFC banks, financial institutions, etc.