The “Paduke Kuteera Scheme” is implemented by the Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd, under the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Karnataka. The scheme is aimed at providing free steel-made kiosks (Paduke Kuteera) and tool kits to roadside cobblers engaged in footwear repair or production. The primary goal is to promote self-employment by offering proper infrastructure and resources to cobblers, helping them establish their businesses.
Scheme Key Highlights (Short Summary)
• Objective: Empower cobblers with proper infrastructure to promote self-employment in the leather industry.
• Benefits: Free steel-made kiosk, signage board, and tool kit.
• Eligibility: Applicants must belong to specific Scheduled Castes and meet income criteria.
• Unit Cost: ₹1,25,000 per Kuteera.
Benefits
• Free Kuteera: A steel-made kiosk (Paduke Kuteera) with a signage board display.
• Free Tool Kit: Complete set of tools for footwear repair and production.
Unit cost: ₹1,25,000/- for each kiosk.
Eligibility
• The applicant must be a leather artisan (specifically, cobblers).
• The applicant must belong to one of the following sub-castes in the Scheduled Castes:
-
Arundathiyar, Chammadiya, Chamar, Madar, Madiga, Samagara, Aadhi Karnataka, etc.
• The applicant’s age should be 18 years or older.
• The annual family income must be: -
₹30,000 in rural areas
-
₹25,000 in urban areas
• The applicant and their family members should not have received benefits from other schemes, except for training programs.
• The applicant’s family members should not be employed in government or semi-government organizations.
Application Process
Online
-
Step 1: Visit the Seva Sindhu Portal.
-
Step 2: Click on “New Users Register Here” and enter your Aadhaar Number and Captcha code.
-
Step 3: You will receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Enter the OTP and click Continue.
-
Step 4: Create your DigiLocker account by clicking “Allow” to proceed.
-
Step 5: Fill out your email ID, mobile number, and create a password. Then click Submit.
-
Step 6: After receiving OTPs on both your email and mobile, enter them and click Validate.
-
Step 7: Once validated, you will receive a confirmation of successful registration.
To Apply for the Scheme:
-
Step 1: Visit the Seva Sindhu Portal and select “Department & Services”.
-
Step 2: Choose the “Social Welfare Department” and click on “Padhuke Kuteera Scheme”.
-
Step 3: Click “Apply Online” and log in with your email ID/mobile number and OTP.
-
Step 4: Fill in the personal, address, and banking details as required.
-
Step 5: Once submitted, you will receive an Application ID for tracking.
Documents Required
• Aadhaar Card
• Caste Certificate (with RD number)
• Annual Income Certificate
• Ration Card
• Passport-size Photograph of the applicant and spouse
• E-Shram Card (for cobblers/shoemakers)
• Bank Passbook (First page)
• Detailed Project Report (for self-employment programs)
• Profession Certificate/Skill Test Certificate (issued by the technical section committee of the Corporation)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Who is eligible to apply for this scheme?
A: Leather artisans (specifically cobblers) belonging to the Scheduled Castes with an income below the specified limits are eligible.
Q: What is the unit cost of the Paduke Kuteera?
A: The unit cost for each Paduke Kuteera is ₹1,25,000/-.
Q: Is there an age limit to apply?
A: Yes, applicants must be 18 years or older.
Q: Are female artisans given any special reservation?
A: The scheme does not mention specific reservations for female artisans.
Q: How do I apply for the scheme?
A: You can apply online through the Seva Sindhu Portal by registering and submitting the necessary details and documents.
Q: What documents are required for the application?
A: The documents required include Aadhaar card, income certificate, caste certificate, E-Shram card, bank passbook, etc.
Q: Can physically challenged artisans apply for the scheme?
A: The scheme does not specify any special provisions for physically challenged artisans, but they may still be eligible if they meet the general criteria.
Q: How are beneficiaries selected?
A: Applications are verified and beneficiaries are selected based on the eligibility criteria mentioned above.
Q: What happens after the selection of beneficiaries?
A: After selection, the Paduke Kuteera and tool kits will be provided to the beneficiaries to support their business.