Ministry Of Textiles Launches Nationwide Chaupal Programme
The Ministry of Textiles has launched the nationwide rollout of the Chaupal Programme in New Delhi as part of National Handicrafts Week celebrations. The initiative was organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) in the presence of Secretary (Textiles) Neelam Shami Rao.
The Chaupal Programme aims to promote awareness of handicraft traditions, encourage entrepreneurship and support the development of sustainable handicraft clusters. Under the initiative, Chaupals will be established as permanent district-level engagement platforms across 100 handicraft aspirational districts, facilitating artisan enrolment, scheme awareness, skill development and entrepreneurship support.
Addressing the event, Rao reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening the handicrafts ecosystem and empowering artisans at the grassroots level. She also interacted with nodal officers from the selected districts and distributed Chaupal Kits to support district-level outreach, awareness sessions and digital onboarding of artisans.
