New Delhi, July 19 (KNN) National Institute of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (Ni-MSME), Hyderabad has mobilized 800 artisans into 43 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and guided them to open bank accounts.

The institute has been entrusted with the task of preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR), conducting baseline survey and forming the SHGs with respect to the Palakkad pottery and papier mache craft cluster, by the National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC).

In an attempt to understand the needs and concerns of the running cluster villages in Kerala, A.K. Roopchandar, Assistant Director (H), Handicrafts Marketing & Service Extension Centre, Thrissur and Catherine Jose, Handicrafts Promotion Officer visited cluster villages namely Pulinelli and Pattathalachi of Palakkad district, Kerela.

Interaction meets were also held, which was attended by about 150 pottery artisans at Pulinellli and by around 40 papier mache artisans at Pattathalachi.

G. Raj Kumar, Consultant, NRCD, who attended on behalf of Ni-MSME, outlined the profile of the clusters, issues concerning its functioning and proposed interventions for the welfare of the craft artisans in the district.

Roopchandar explained the schemes and programs of the office of the DC (Handicrafts) and suggested that the artisans to obtain the artisan identity card and health card by submitting the required documents.

Later, the officials interacted with the cluster artisans and verified the SHGs and their bank accounts,

During the interaction meet, artisans enumerated the challenges that they face from different government departments and the difficulty in procuring clay.

In this regard, Roopchandar advised them to submit a memorandum to the District Collector.