Original Article ISSN (Online): 2582-7472 ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts January-June 2023 4(1), 429–442 How to cite this article (APA): Majeed, I., Bhat, A. H., and Azam, R. (2023). The Role of Government in Promoting Handicraft Industry: A Case Study of Kashmir. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 4(1), 429–442. doi: 10.29121/shodhkosh.v4.i1.2023.356 429 THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN PROMOTING HANDICRAFT INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF KASHMIR Ishfaq Majeed 1 , Akhter Hussain Bhat 2 , Rayees Azam 3 1 Senior Research Fellow, Department of Sociology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India 2 Senior Research Fellow, Department of Sociology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India 3 University of Kashmir, Department of Sociology, Jammu and Kashmir, India ABSTRACT In India, the handicraft industry is the second largest rural employment industry after agriculture. Handicrafts are typically produced in the unorganised industry. There was an underestimation of the potential of the handicraft industry, which can play a significant part in the economy. Artisans face low wages, job inconsistencies, a lack of technological expertise, and a lack of new design. Several government and non- governmental programmes are also in operation, but they are either ineffective or do not impact the majority of artisans. In the present study the researchers focuses on the present trends of different handicraft schemes implemented under the 12th five-year plan. The study also explores the ground reality of the existing government’s programmes in Jammu and Kashmir towards promoting handicraft industry. The present research will help policymakers create appropriate initiatives to expand the handicraft industry and artisans, as well as change existing plans. Received 07 March 2023 Accepted 04 May 2023 Published 08 May 2023 Corresponding Author Ishfaq Majeed, naikishfaq82@gmail.com DOI 10.29121/shodhkosh.v4.i1.2023.356 Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s). This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. With the license CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author. Keywords: Handicraft Industry, Government Policies and Programmes, Trends, 12th Five-Year Plan 1. INTRODUCTION The Handicraft Industry is a significant part of the Indian economy, providing employment to number of people and contributing to the country’s cultural heritage. Handicrafts refer to the creation of decorative or functional objects using traditional techniques and skills, often using natural materials such as wood, clay, textiles, and metals UNESCO. (2019). These crafts are typically produced by skilled artisans who have inherited their craft through generations of family tradition or learned it through apprenticeships.