If anybody visits jharkraft.in and checks its page “events”, he finds the presence of a three-year-old event “Kuchai Silk Expo” held at Hotel Chanakya BNR, Ranchi in August 13, 2018.
This clearly shows that the website of Jharkhand Silk Textile and Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd(jharcraft), a government of Jharkhand undertaking, has not been updated ever since then.
Similarly, if any customer visits the shops of Jharcraft anywhere in Ranchi or Delhi, its products including sarees, sericulture, handicraft and other handloom products were as old as are images figuring in its official website. Even the design, colour and shape of sarees remain old, indicating no change has been introduced since long.
As it is jharcraft was formed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities in the rural areas, based on Sericulture, Handloom, Handicraft and other allied activities.It was set up in 2006, a brainchild of the BJP leader and the then Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Arjun Munda who is now Union Tribal Welfare Minister,
Official records revealed that Jharcraft was started as an organisation to create new opportunities in rural areas with an objective to change life and provide employment opportunities throughout the state. Subsequently, products of jharcraft, each designed by selected NEFT guides, gained national and international market.
Today, when the JMM-led govt headed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren is at the helm of affairs, jharcraft appears to be a dying institution of the state government. In absence of competent managers, guides, designers and leadership,jharcraft appears sick.
However, the state Information and Public Relation Department released a press bulletin claiming that jharcraft is providing employment opportunities to 30,000 artisans in Jharkhand.