Grant to Handicrafts Societies Component of the Development of Handicrafts Scheme is a state-level scheme by the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Puducherry, that gives cash grants to registered handicraft societies. The scheme helps these societies organise and take part in exhibitions so that local artisan products reach more buyers across the country and abroad.
The scheme is part of the larger Development of Handicrafts Scheme of the Union Territory of Puducherry. It covers societies registered as a Co-operative society or under the Societies Act, as long as their members are approved artisans dealing only in handicraft products made in Puducherry.
Grant to Handicrafts Societies Component of the Development of Handicrafts Scheme - Introduction
Handicraft societies in Puducherry often struggle with the cost of marketing and showing their products. This scheme removes that money problem by funding exhibition-related work. Societies can use the grant to book stalls, move goods, and meet the travel and daily costs of craftspeople attending the events.
The scheme also pushes artisans to come together and form registered societies. When artisans work as a group, coordination improves, skills get shared, and small producers get a stronger voice in the market. As of August 2026, the scheme continues to accept applications through the District Industries Centre in Puducherry.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Grant to Handicrafts Societies Component of the Development of Handicrafts Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Puducherry |
| Target Beneficiaries | Registered Handicraft Societies |
| Benefit Type | Cash Grant |
| Nodal Department | Department of Industries and Commerce, Puducherry |
Benefits
Eligible societies get an annual cash grant to meet the costs of organising or joining exhibitions. The grant amount depends on the type of society.
| Type of Beneficiary | Annual Grant Amount |
|---|---|
| PUDUMAI Handicrafts Artisans Society | ₹10,00,000 |
| Other Eligible Societies | ₹2,00,000 (for exhibitions in or outside India for 5 years) |
Besides the grant, societies also get support for the travel and daily costs of craftspeople who attend exhibitions. This covers second class train fare, daily allowance of ₹300 per person for A1 city shows, ₹200 for other cities and ₹150 for local shows, plus reimbursement of the actual cost of moving handicraft goods to the venue.
Eligibility
To get the grant, a society has to meet a few fixed conditions.
- Registration: The society must be registered as a Co-operative society or under the Societies Act.
- Members: All members should be artisans approved by the State Government or the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
- Products: The society should deal only in handicraft products made by artisans of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Application Process
Societies can apply for the grant by following the steps given below.
STEP 1 - Go to the official website of the District Industries Centre and download the prescribed application form from the application forms download page.
STEP 2 - Fill in all the details correctly and attach a passport size photograph. Keep copies of the registration certificate and the approval letters of the artisans ready, and self attest them where asked.
STEP 3 - Submit the filled form and documents at the office of the General Manager, District Industries Centre, Thattanchavady, Puducherry 605 009 during office hours. For help, call 2248391, 2249392, 2248987 or mail dic_pdy@bsnl.in.
STEP 4 - Collect the acknowledgement after submission. The department records the application and gives a unique reference number that should be kept safe for all future follow ups.
Documents
Keep these papers ready before applying.
- Valid registration certificate of the society as a Co-operative society or under the Societies Act.
- Official approval documents of the artisans issued by the State Government or the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts).
References
For official rules and forms, check these links.
- Scheme Guidelines
- Download Application Form
- Citizen's Charter
- Official Contact Information
- Grievance Redressal Portal
FAQ's
What is the annual grant for PUDUMAI Handicrafts Artisans Society?
PUDUMAI Handicrafts Artisans Society gets an annual grant of ₹10,00,000 to organise exhibitions.
How much grant do other eligible societies get?
Other eligible societies get ₹2,00,000 per year for taking part in exhibitions in or outside India for a period of 5 years.
What is the eligibility for a society to get this grant?
The society should be registered as a Co-operative society or under the Societies Act, should have government approved artisans as members, and should deal only in handicraft products of Puducherry.
Can a society that deals in other crafts besides handicrafts apply?
No, the society must deal exclusively in handicraft products made by artisans of the Union Territory of Puducherry.
What travel support is given to craftspeople for exhibitions?
Craftspeople get second class train fare, daily allowance of ₹300 for A1 city shows, ₹200 for other cities, ₹150 for local shows and reimbursement of the cost of moving goods.
Where can the application form be downloaded?
The form is available on the official website at https://dic.py.gov.in/application-forms-download-area.
How can a society raise a complaint about the scheme?
Complaints can be raised through the official grievance redressal portal at https://industry.py.gov.in/grievance-redressal-mechanism.