TRIFED and NSTFDC Sign 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) here today signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for using their synergy for the economic development of needy Scheduled Tribes. 

The MoU will be implemented on pilot basis for the weavers of district Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh some of whom have undergone intensive four month long training conducted by TRIFED with a master craftsman at Kullu to weave shawls with Kinnauri design. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria said that the Central Government is committed to the all round development of people belonging to the Scheduled Tribe community. The Minister said, the government will further strengthen TRIFED and NSTFDC so that they can render their services for the betterment of tribal population. The Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Mahadeo Singh Khandela and Secretary of the Ministry, Shri A.K. Chugh were also present on the occasion. The salient features of the MoU are as under: • 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. TRIFED, an organization under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is engaged in marketing development of tribal products, including tribal art & craft under the brand name “TRIBES INDIA”. As a part of its marketing development initiative, TRIFED, with the financial assistance from the Ministry, is establishing a network of retail outlets across the country to market tribal products. It has already established a network of 27 own outlets besides tie-up with 13 State Government’s Emporia throughout the country. 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.