West Bengal Artisans Financial Benefit Scheme 2024: Grant to Individual Artisans

Description
“Grant to Individual Artisans” is a sub-scheme under “West Bengal Artisans Financial Benefit Scheme 2024", launched by the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise and Textiles Department, Government of West Bengal on 7th March, 2024, and it shall remain in force for a period of five years. The objective of the scheme is to provide the artisans of Bengal systematic financial support for procurement of modern tool kits to individual artisans.

Exclusions
• Any central/state govt employee and his/her family members shall not be eligible.
• Should not have availed of any assistance /grant from Central /State Govt. for the same purpose.
• Handloom and Khadi weavers, and their societies (as they are covered under separate schemes).

Benefits
• One Time Grant up to ₹15,000/- for purchase & repair of tool kits/ equipment.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant should be a handicrafts artisan.
2. - The age of the applicant should be between 18-60 years.
3. - Applicant should be engaged in traditional Craft/trade with hand tools/equipment/ small machines.
4. - Applicant should be enlisted in the State Portal for artisans & weavers.
5. - Applicant should be an Indian citizen permanent resident of West Bengal for the past 10 years.
6. - For Work shed, an industrial cooperative society of the eligible artisans should possess a piece of land whereupon sheds will be constructed/ machines will be installed.

Required Documents
• Proof of enrolment in the State portal for artisans & weavers.
• The standard price of tools/kits on the basis of 3 sets of quotations collected.
• Registration certificate in case of the industrial cooperative society.
• In case of repairing of Tool/equipment-invoice/bill from concerned workshop.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the classification of Crafts and Trades?
A: All crafts and trades performed by handicrafts artisans across the state and other age-old traditional trades like Blacksmithy, Pottery, Carpentry, Masonry, Garland making (Malakar), Shoe making (Charmakar), Washerman (Dhobi), Boat making, Fishing, Net making, Broom making, Coir product making, Clay Doll making, Folk/Musical instrument making, Puppetry, Basketry, Locksmith, Goldsmithy, Barber etc.

Q: How will the procurement and reimbursement process work for individual artisans under this scheme?
A: For individual artisans /trades, the toolkits shall be procured by the beneficiaries themselves and the same shall be reimbursed up to [?]15,000/- on production of such vouchers and on verification.

Q: Which department is the management authority for this scheme?
A: The Scheme will be implemented and monitored by the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise and Textiles Department.

Q: What process will be followed by the department for the administration of this scheme?
A: The applications in Panchayat areas will be screened fortnightly by a Screening Committee in the BDO Office, those in Municipality areas will be screened by a Screening Committee at SDO's Office and for Corporation areas, applications will be screened by a Screening Committee at Corporation office. Relevant checklist & inspection format will be finalised by the Directorate of MSME.

Q: What measures are in place to prevent misuse of the Welfare Assistance?
A: In case of any misrepresentation of facts or furnishing false information by an applicant ,all his/ her claims under the scheme shall be revoked.

Q: What is the extent of financial support provided by the State Government under this sub-scheme?
A: One time Grant up to [?]15000/- for an individual artisan for purchase & repair of tool kits/ equipment shall be provided under this scheme.

Q: Which department is the management authority for this scheme?
A: The Scheme will be implemented and monitored by the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise and Textiles Department.

Q: What process will be followed by the department for the administration of this scheme?
A: The applications in Panchayat areas will be screened fortnightly by a Screening Committee in the BDO Office, those in Municipality areas will be screened by a Screening Committee at SDO's Office and for Corporation areas, applications will be screened by a Screening Committee at Corporation office. Relevant checklist & inspection format will be finalised by the Directorate of MSME.

Q: What measures are in place to prevent misuse of the Welfare Assistance?
A: In case of any misrepresentation of facts or furnishing false information by an applicant ,all his/ her claims under the scheme shall be revoked.

Q: How the Grievance Redressal Mechanism shall operate for this scheme?
A: In case of any grievance against the decision of the GM Concerned, application to be made to the Director MSME. In case of any interpretation regarding the scheme, Director MSME may consult the Department of MSME&T before taking any final decision.

Q: What is the date of commencement and duration of this scheme?
A: This scheme was launched on 7th March, 2024 and will remain in force for five years.

Q: Who are the targeted beneficiaries under this scheme?
A: Individual handicrafts artisans of the state are the targeted beneficiaries under this scheme.

Q: How can the benefits be availed?
A: Applications by individual artisans or by the Cooperative Societies of the artisans are to be submitted at BDO''s office for rural areas, at SDO's office for Municipality areas and at the Municipal Corporation Office for the urban areas.

Q: Is there any income criteria to be eligible for this scheme?
A: No, there is no specific income criteria to be eligible for this scheme.

Q: Is there any specific age criteria for the applicants to be eligible for this scheme?
A: Yes, the age of the applicant should be between 18-60 years to be eligible for this scheme.

Q: What is the frequency of the assistance?
A: The assistance will be provided one time to the beneficiaries.