For the growth of the craft industry in the UT, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched the J&K Karkhandar Scheme 2022. The new Karkhandar Scheme will provide the craft industry a boost, particularly the languishing crafts. We will discuss the eligibility requirements, financial help provided under the scheme, and other features in this article. For the growth of the craft industry in the UT, the Jammu and Kashmir government has launched the J&K Karkhandar Scheme 2022. The new Karkhandar Scheme will provide the craft industry a boost, particularly the languishing crafts. We will discuss the eligibility requirements, financial help provided under the scheme, and other features in this article.
What is Jammu & Kashmir Karkhandar Scheme 2022
The Karkhandar initiative was introduced by the Jammu and Kashmir government to develop the craft sector in the Union Territory. The Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, will implement the scheme on a trial basis. It is a watershed decision that will breathe new vitality into the UT craft industry, particularly the languishing crafts.
Need for Jammu and Kashmir Karkhandar Scheme
People who work in the craft sector are exploited, and they become locked in a vicious cycle of poverty and pessimism, forcing them to give up their skill. The Karkhandar Scheme for Craft Sector Development was launched by the J&K Government in an effort to improve their learning techniques, increase their revenues, and instil entrepreneurship skills in them.
Vision of Jammu & Kashmir Karkhandar Scheme
The Jammu & Kashmir Karkhandar initiative would identify and provide skill upgradation training in crafts such as walnut wood carving, silver filigree, carpet, Kani shawl weaving, Khatamband, and Papier Machie crafts that are confronting human resource shortages. Aside from this, other crafts will be given fair attention based on the needs identified by the respective Assistant Directors of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department.
Depending on the success of the scheme in each craft, the number of crafts centres assigned to each craft may be transferred to other crafts.
For the six-month period, a minimum of one and a maximum of five training programmes per craft will be evaluated.
Objective of J&K Karkhandar Scheme
The J&K Karkhandar scheme aims to:-
- Revive the languishing crafts.
- Upscale the learning techniques of trainees.
- Improve the wages of the craftsmen through collectivization.
- Create linkages with producer organizations to inculcate entrepreneurship skills and aptitude to the trainees.
Eligibility Criteria for Karkhandar Scheme in J&K
- Pass out meritorious trainees from training centres run by Handicrafts and Handloom Department or ex-trainees. However, such conditions shall not be applied in the case of languishing crafts.
- A minimum of five trainees for an identified small Karkhana and a maximum of 10 trainees far identified big Karkhana.
Jammu & Kashmir Karkhandar Scheme Methodology
- As mentioned in Annexure A, meritorious pass-out trainees or ex-trainees of the departmental training centres will be identified and motivated to opt for registration under Karkhandar Scheme.
- Registration cards will be issued to such trainees.
- Bank accounts of trainees will be opened under Jan Dhan Yojana.
- Complete database of the identified trainees will be maintained, including Aadhar number, EPIC number, bank account number.
- As mentioned in Annexure B, registered Karkhanas or Karkhandars who are willing to enrol ex-trainees or pass-out trainees in their Karkhana will be identified by the Handicrafts and Handloom Department.
- All necessary logistics in the shape of tools, equipment, looms, raw material, space, and so forth shall be provided by the identified Karkhandar. These Karkhandars shall be provided with a lump sum of Rs.25,000/- per batch in two instalments for the expenditure of all logistics to run the training program successfully.
- Upon successful completion of the course, the trainees can form Cooperatives and all the requisite support or guidance will be provided to them to attain the objective of the scheme.
Financial Assistance Provided under Karkhandar Scheme
- Rs. 2000 will be paid per trainee per month. However, the stipend will be paid in two instalments– Rs. 1000 will be paid through an individual bank account and the remaining amount shall be disbursed on the successful completion of the probation or practical training session.
- Rs. 2000 per trainee per month will be given to Karkhandars for Logistic Charges as well as an honorarium to meritorious trainees. These, however, will only be disbursed after assessing that the trainees have achieved the desired level of skills. The trainees will be evaluated through an approved qualifying framework devised for skill up-gradation level.
Other major schemes such as the Artisan Credit Card Scheme and Scheme of Financial Assistance to the Cooperatives have already been launched to boost the craft industry of J&K, especially to the languishing crafts.
The Chenab Times News Desk