The “Bima Yojana – Direct Benefit to Artisan (BYDBTA)” was launched on 15th August 2022 by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It is a social welfare initiative aimed at providing financial assistance to senior and award-winning artisans to ensure their financial security and support the handicraft sector. The scheme is implemented by the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the Ministry of Textiles.
Benefits
- Financial assistance of up to ₹8,000 per month is provided to eligible artisans.
- The assistance can be in the form of a monthly allowance, a lump sum grant, or both.
Eligibility
- Recognition:
- The applicant must be a master craftsperson who has received prestigious awards like:
- Shilp Guru Awards
- National Awards
- Merit Certificates
- Other similar honours.
- The applicant must be a master craftsperson who has received prestigious awards like:
- Age Criteria:
- Applicants must be aged 60 years or above.
- Relaxation is available for artisans with disabilities.
- Income Criteria: The annual income of the applicant must not exceed ₹1,00,000.
- No Duplicate Assistance: Applicants must not be receiving similar financial assistance from other sources.
- Verification: An income certificate and an affidavit signed by a 1st Class Magistrate must be submitted annually.
Application Process
Offline
- Registration:
- The artisan must be registered with the Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and hold a valid photo identity card.
- Application Submission:
- Obtain the application form from the nearest Handicrafts Service Centre.
- Fill in all required details and attach the necessary documents.
- Recommendation and Submission:
- Submit the completed application to the nearest Handicrafts Service Centre for recommendation or directly to the bank for availing a MUDRA loan, if applicable.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Artisan ID Proof
- Birth Certificate
- Bank Account Details
- Passport-size Photograph
Sources and References
- Guidelines
- Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts)