FAQ- Direct Benefit to Artisan (Welfare earlier) Scheme

Question: About welfare scheme.

Ans. The scheme envisages welfare measures like Health and Life insurance, extending credit

facilities, supply of tools and equipment to the artisans etc. The major components are detailed

below:

1. Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana (RGSSBY)

2. Bima Yojana for Handicrafts Artisans (Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY) ).

3. Support to artisans in indigent circumstances

4. Credit Guarantee Scheme

5. Interest Subvention Scheme

6. Issue of Identity Cards and creation of data-base

Question: The details of criteria and procedure laid down by the Government to provide

support to the craftsperson in the form of pension;

Ans. The criterion laid down by the Government to provide support to the craftsperson in the

form of pension is enumerated hereunder:-

1. The applicant craftsperson should be the recipient of Shilp Guru Award, National Award,

National Merit Certificate or State Award.

2. The Annual Income of the Artisan should be less than Rs. 50,000/-

3. The applicant should not be a recipient of similar financial assistance from any other

source.

4. The applicant artisans not be less than 60 years of age on the date of application. Age may

be relaxed in case of artisan with disabilities.

Question : The number of craftsperson who received pension during the year 2015-16

and the number of new additions to the list in 2015-16;

Ans. Total 254 Artisans have received pension during the year 2015-16. 24 new mastercrafts

persons were selected for the financial assistance during 2015-16.

Question : Whether the Government is contemplating to raise the pension for the

craftsperson.

Ans. The Financial Assistance provided during the year 2015-16 was Rs. 3,000/- per month

which has been raised to Rs. 3,500/- during the year 2016-17.

Question : Whether the Ministry has taken any nationwide initiative to register

handicrafts artisans in the country.

Ans. HMOT has launched Nation–wide Artisans I-Card campaign named ‘Pehchan’ from Sant

Kabir Nagar on 7th October, 2016 to provide identity cards to handicrafts artisans from all over

the country. These I/Cards will be Aadhar linked to avoid duplications of benefits. Total ID cards

forms collected as on 31st March 2017 are 14,08,543.

Question : How to get Pehchan Card for Handicrafts artisans.

Ans. The handicrafts artisans needs to visit the field office of DC(Handicrafts) to get the pehchan

Card. The artisans can also apply online through the official website of Office of DC(Handicrafts)

i.e. www.handicrafts.nic.in. In addition to this the Pehchan camps are also being organized in

major crafts clusters to enrol maximum number of artisans.

Question : What are the benefits of Pehchan cards.

Ans. Benefits of Pehchan Card (Identity Card for Handicraft Artisans)

i. Easy to participate in Guru Shishya Parampara.

ii. Easy to avail Improved Tool Kits of the craft.

iii. Easy to participate in any domestic and International Fair, Event, Design workshop,

Seminar etc.

iv. Eligible for free life insurance and stipend for their two children from Class-IX to ClassXII.

v. Seeking any other assistance under any scheme of this office.

Question: Are there any insurance schemes available for benefits of artisans?

Ans: Yes, office of Development Commissioner(Handicrafts) implements two insurance

schemes for benefits of handicrafts artisans namely Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana

(RGSSBY) for health insurance and Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY) for life insurance.

Question: How to get enroll for the insurance scheme for handicrafts artisans.

Ans: The artisans have to enroll through the field offices of DC(Handicrafts) by submitting the

application form along with the supporting documents required. Application form is available

with field offices as well as available on the website of this office i.e. www.handicrafts.gov.in.

Question: What are the supporting documents required?

Ans: Following documents are required:

Pehchaan Card(Artisan I/Card)
Photocopy of Bank Passbook
Copy of Aadhaar Card

Question: What is the interest subvention scheme for handicrafts artisans?

Ans: The scheme is intended to facilitate credit access for handicraft artisans through

introducing interest subvention scheme through schedule banks.

Question: What are the benefits of the interest subvention scheme?

Ans: 6% interest subvention, subject to actual, shall be available for artisans for loan taken

from scheduled banks. Maximum benefits of Rs.1 lakhs for a period of three years is

admissible.

Question: What is the credit guarantee scheme for handicrafts artisans?

Ans: The component is envisaged to alleviate the problem of collateral security or 3rd party

guarantee and remove impediments to flow of credit to handicrafts sector. This scheme is

implemented through CGTMSE.

Question: What are the benefits of credit guarantee scheme?

Ans:To avail this facility CGTMSE is paid composite all-in-guarantee Fees as under:

Click here to view details:

http://handicrafts.nic.in/pdf/DCH_FAQs.pdf

FAQ+direct+benefit+to+artisan+welfare+earlier+scheme

FAQ- Direct Benefit to Artisan (Welfare earlier) Scheme