To open-up more avenues of employment generation in the handicraft sector, The Puducherry State Co-operative Handicrafts and Handloom Federation has initiated to sign an Memorandum of Understanding with Development of Hessian Articles Research and Training Institution (DHARTI).

The MOU, prepared indicating the responsibilities of both DHARTI and PSCH&HF for taking assistances of National Centre for Jute Diversification for intervention in Puducherry, got the approval of Secretary (Co-operation) Signing of MOU between Govt of Puducherry through PSCH&HF and DHARTI in the presence of Shri. Atri Bhattacharya I.A.S., Executive Director, NCJD, Secretary, JMDC on a visit Chennai accepted to attend the Experience Sharing Workshop on 23rd May 2008 at Puducherry. In the function organised for the Experience Sharing Workshop, signing of MOU between Govt. of Puducherry and DHARTI was given importance since this is the first of its kind in the country to sign an MOU by a Jute Entrepreneurs Service Centre with the State Govt. for Development of Hessian Articles. A copy of the MOU signed and the Agenda of the meeting is enclosed for information.

I. PARTIES

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is entered into by, and among the following institutions that are designated Parties for the purpose of this MOU:

1. The Puducherry State Co-operative Handicrafts and Handloom Federation Ltd., P.760., hereinafter by called the “Federation”.
2. Development of Hessian Articles Research and Training Institution, hereinafter called the “Institution”.

The Puducherry State Co-operative Handicrafts and Handloom Federation Ltd., with the brand name Artisanat Pondiche’ry, is an apex level Co-operative Institution registered under The Pondicherry Co-operative Societies Act, 1972.
DHARTI, an acronym for Development of Hessian Articles Research and Training Institution is a non profit organization appointed by the National Centre for Jute Diversification under the Ministry of Textiles as a Jute Entrepreneur Service Centre based at Puducherry.

II. AUTHORITIES

This MOU is entered into by the Federation with the Institution to introduce and develop diversified jute products by promoting small scale entrepreneurs to bring in new small scale industries to manufacture eco-friendly and bio-degradable jute products.

III. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

• To ensure sustainable employment to artisans.
• To develop and promote the diversified jute products on various levels to cater to the domestic and foreign market needs by setting up small scale units.
• To organize small workshops for generating awareness in the use of jute and its qualities.
• To organize design development workshop for value addition of products.
• To keep beneficiaries abreast with the time and trend so that the product of the entrepreneurs is maintained market worthy.
• To tie up the demand centre with producers for bulk sale.
  
• To help poverty alleviation, employment opportunities in rural and urban areas, domestic and export earnings and better utilization of the renewable raw material.

1. • Organizing exhibitions, buyers sellers meet etc. on jute diversified products.
   • Providing training on various skills for manufacture of products using jute.
   • Organizing design development workshops for value addition of products.
   • Maintaining a display centre for general awareness and information.
   • Maintaining constant liaison with the state Government, district authorities.
   • Facilitating local medium of communication for promotion of jute.
   • Focused attention for up gradation of skills, creation of a better work environment, design and technology intervention, and the development of clusters for specific crafts with common service facilities, and overall improvement of infrastructure, and market development.
   • To get NOC from Pollution Control Board, Government of Puducherry if required.
   • To get legal or statutory clearance / Permission / Licenses / Approval required for functioning Jute Entrepreneur Service Centre and Raw Material Bank at Puducherry.
   • To get Sales tax number for distributing Raw material at concession rates to the beneficiaries.
   • To Promote, Popularize, and Propagate Jute Diversified Products manufactured by Women Self Help Groups.
   • To conduct regular training programs and advance trainings in jute diversified products.
   • To organise raw material at subsidised rate to help the trainees.
     1. To organise periodical fairs and exhibitions, and to provide free stalls to the market the products of the members’.
     2. To extend continued support by extending R & D facilities to the entrepreneurs.
     3. To explore Jute composite, Jute Paper, Jute Geo textiles and new avenues of jute Industries in Puducherry.
     4. To organize workshops, symposiums, training programs and advance trainings in jute diversified products.
     5. To include JDP outlets in the Government Tourism shopping’s list.
     6. To provide escort services to the entrepreneurs to start and run their industry.
     7. To help women entrepreneurs by extending technical support and advise to achieve commercial production.
     8. To form a marketing group and to facilitate to sell their products in local and overseas marke.
   • The Federation to help the Institution in getting the following facilities to promote, popularize and propagate Jute Diversified Products in Puducherry:
   • To help the Institution in getting allotment of a building to facilitate Jute Diversified Product’s Display, Data Bank Jute Entrepreneurs Service Centre, Administrative Office and R & D Centre.
   • To help the Institution in getting allotment of workshop, Training Hall in an industrial estate.
   • To open a Jute Handicrafts sales counter in all co-operative institutions and Government sponsored retail outlets.
   • To participate in domestic and foreign exhibitions and expositions to popularize Jute Diversified Products with the assistance of the State Government.
   • To exempt sales Tax for jute products and to simplify procedures for starting jute diversified product industries in Puducherry.

VI. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DHARTI, THE “INSTITUTION”

VII. SCOPE OF SERVICES AND RESPNSIBILTIES OF PSCH&HF, THE “FEDERATION”

VIII. COMMENCEMENT AND DURATION OF AGREEMENT

This MOU shall come into force on execution hereof and will continue to remain in force for a period of 2 years which period is renewable by mutual consent and on terms and conditions that might be agreed upon.

This MOU embodies the entire understanding of the parties as to its subject matter and shall not be amended except in writing executed by both the parties. Either party may by notice in writing of 90 days, may terminate its participation in this MOU if the other party has committed any breach of the MOU.IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

The Institution shall be under a duty to take all necessary measures to avoid unreasonable inconvenience or cost to the Assignor.
The Institution herein undertake not to divulge the know-how, documentation, improvements etc.,

The Institutions assures and guarantees that no acts shall be carried out which will or may infringe the rights / name / reputation of the Federation.

This MOU shall be binding on and shall ensure to the benefit of the Federation, its assigns and successors in title and shall be binding upon and shall ensure to the benefit of the Institution and its assigns and successors in title but, in no event the Institution shall assign this MOU without the prior written consent of the Federation.

In case of any dispute, decision of Secretary to Government incharge of Cooperation in the Government of Puducherry shall be final.

IV. MUTUAL INTEREST OF THE PARTIES

This MOU is in the mutual interest to the Parties because it is designed to enable each party to apply its capabilities and expertise in cooperation with National Centre for Jute Diversification, Ministry of Textiles, to develop a strong and vibrant sector for diversified jute products in Puducherry.

V. PARTY REPRESENTATIVES AND JOINT RESPONSIBILITIES

Each Parties will designate an Executive Agent for the execution of the MOU towards the preparedness, planning, prevention, response and implementation of the following objectives of this MOU.
Assisting entrepreneurs, artians, craft persons designers, manufacturers, governmental agencies through transfer of technologies, providing support services, executing promotion strategies, providing financial assistance, forum for interaction with various national and international agencies etc.