- Procurement of Handicraft Products
WBHDC procures handicrafts products directly
from the artisans, handicraft units and handicrafts co-operative
societies. During 1996-97, the corporation purchased handicraft
products involving an amount of Rs. 104.11 lakhs and this year
(97-98), it has planned to enhance the purchase to Rs. 160 lakhs.
Corporation organises spot procurement camps in the districts
for purchase of products from artisans by making cash payment.
- Sale of Handicraft Products
Sale of handicraft products through the 26 numbers
of show rooms of the corporation situated all over the country
is the main activity of the corporation. The corporation sold
handicrafts products valued about Rs. 160.55 lakhs during 1996-97.
- Training Facilities
The Corporation offers training facilities to
the handicrafts artisans both at primary and advance level. Baruipur
Experimental Workshop Cum Research Institute is presently managed
and run by the corporation.
- Craft Development Centres
The Corporation is running two Craft Development
Centres One at Puinam (Hooghly) and the other at Salt Lake for
offering all-round facilities under one roof for development of
selected crafts.
- Common Facility Centre
The Corporation runs a Common Facility Centre
on brass and bell metal at Nabadwip in Nadia district.
- Design Development Workshop
The Corporation offers design support to the
handicraft artisans under this programme which is funded by the
Government of India.
- Exhibitions and Fair
The corporation organises Exhibition and Fairs
within and outside of West Bengal in order to give marketing exposures
to the handicraft artisans and their crafts.
- Craft Museum
The corporation has a Craft Museum at ‘Karuangan’
at Salt Lake City. The Museum has exquisite collections of ethnic
and traditional Bengal handicrafts and handloom artefacts.
- Artisan’s Dormitory
The Corporation has developed an Artisan’s Dormitory
at karuangan to offer facilities of stay in Calcutta for the Artisans.
- Social Security Activities
The Corporation offers various social security facilities to
the handicrafts artisans like (a) group insurance coverage (b)
old-age pension (c) construction of work sheds for the artisans
etc.
