TRIFED and NSTFDC Signed MoU for Economic Development of Scheduled Tribes Artisans

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance Development Corporation (NSTFDC) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 30 June 2011 for using their synergy for the economic development of needy Scheduled Tribes of Himachal Pradesh.

The MoU is planned to be implemented on pilot basis for the weavers of district Kinnaur of Himachal Pradesh. Some of the weavers underwent intensive four months long training conducted by the TRIFED with a master craftsman at Kullu to weave shawls with Kinnauri design.

The Central Government of India is committed to the all round development of people belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community. The government of India also has plans further to strengthen TRIFED and NSTFDC so that they can render their services for the betterment of tribal population.

The salient features of the MoU

•    NSTFDC would provide concessional financial assistance for procuring project related assets and for working capital to TRIFED empanelled artisans through it SCAs.

•    Financial assistance upto Rs.50,000 would be available to individual artisans and upto Rs.5.00 lacs to Self Help Groups/Coop. Societies.

•    The interest chargeable from women artisans will be @4% p.a. and @ 6% p.a. from men artisans.

•    TRIFED will buy back the products from the tribal artisans and market them through their outlets spread throughout the country and through exhibitions.

•    TRIFED will also assist in providing design inputs and in improving quality through consumer feedback.

•    TRIFED will facilitate recovery of loan from artisans to the extent of purchases made by TRIFED from such artisans.

•    The funds will be channelised through Himachal Pradesh Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, Solan.

About Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)

•    TRIFED is an organisation under Ministry of Tribal Affairs of India.

•    It is engaged in marketing development of tribal products, including tribal art & craft under the brand name ‘TRIBES INDIA’.

•    TRIFED is establishing a network of retail outlets across India to market tribal products. Throughout India, it has already established a network of 27 own outlets besides tie-up with 13 State Government’s Emporia.

•    NSTFDC provides financial assistance at concessional rates of interest to STs for undertaking income generating activities and for procurement and marketing of minor forest produce and other tribal products.

•    The assistance is provided through its State level Channelising Agencies (SCAs), certain Public Sector Banks, Regional Rural Banks, National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), etc. The assistance is available to STs having annual family income upto double the poverty line (DPL), which is Rs.39,500 for rural areas and Rs.54,500 for urban areas.