West Bengal Artisans Financial Benefit Scheme: Facilitation Supports

Description
“Facilitation Supports” 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 various types of facilitation support to the artisans and Industrial Cooperative Societies.

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 shall not be eligible(as they are covered under separate schemes).

Benefits
• Facilitation for enlistment on the State Portal for Artisans.
• Facilitation for formation of Industrial Cooperative Society.
• Facilitation for obtaining statutory requirements.

Eligibility Criteria
1. - The applicant should belong to any group of artisans.
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.

Required Documents
• Proof of enrolment in the State portal for artisans & weavers.
• Registration certificate in case of the industrial cooperative society.

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: What is the extent of support provided by the State Government under this sub-scheme?
A: Various types of facilitation support i.e.Facilitation for enlistment on the State Portal for Artisans, Facilitation for formation of Industrial Cooperative Society, Facilitation for obtaining statutory requirements are provided under this sub-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: 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 or the Cooperative Societies of the 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: 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.