The Hindu : Handicrafts corpn. plans more emporia

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 18, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Handicrafts corpn. plans more emporia

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD Jan.17. The Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd., which appears to be on the road to recovery with the profits showing an upward swing, has decided on the strategy of increasing the turnover as much as possible.

S. Venkateswarlu, chairman of the corporation, told a press conference here on Friday that as part of the strategy, Lepakshi showrooms were planned in Srisailam and Kurnool. The showroom at Srisailam, which has a daily floating population of 25,000, would be opened soon. Similar emporia were on the anvil at devasthanams where good number of devotees were expected daily.

He said the corporation, which markets products of over 1,50,000 artisans, had achieved sales of Rs. 27 crores and profit of Rs. 19 lakhs in the 2001-02 financial year. During the current year its sales amounted to Rs. 18.5 crores and a net profit Rs. 35 lakhs. The anticipated profit next year was Rs. 50 lakhs and turnover Rs. 40 crores.

For achieving this, the corporation would organise more exhibitions during January to April, when good sales were expected, boosting the turnover. Personnel of the corporation would undertake tours in districts to explore sales prospects.

Mr. Venkateswarlu said as had been its policy during the last years, the corporation would organise crafts bazaar at the People's Plaza, Necklace Road, from January 18 to 27. About 150 artisans from different parts of the country, including 40 from Andhra Pradesh, were participating. It would be open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Minister for Major Industries, K. Vidyadhar Rao, would inaugurate the `Lepakshi crafts bazaar 2003' at 5 p.m. Two City Ministers -- K. Vijayarama Rao and T. Srinivas Yadav -- would attend along with K. Laxman, BJP MLA.

To mark the inauguration, State awards would be given away to 10 selected craftsmen. The award comprises cash of Rs. 5,000.

Old-age pension scheme for the deserving craftspersons would also be launched by giving Rs. 500 each to 25. The corporation, Mr. Venkateswarlu said, was prepared to increase the number of pension beneficiaries after identifying more artisans.

The corporation achieved a total turnover of Rs. 389.6 lakhs from 39 exhibitions during 2001-02. In the current year it held 28 exhibitions achieving a turnover of approximately Rs. 302 lakhs. About 1,000 craftsmen benefit from these exhibitions every year, Mr. Venkateswarlu added.

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