The “Mukhyamantri Baristha Bunakar and Karigara Sahayata Yojana” is a welfare initiative by the Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to elderly weavers (bunakar) and handicraft artisans (karigar) to ensure they enjoy a decent standard of living. It is designed to relieve beneficiaries from additional financial burdens arising from illness, injury, unemployment, and other unforeseen expenses, thereby enhancing their social security in old age.
Objective
- Social Security:
To provide financial stability and a decent level of living to elderly weavers and handicraft artisans. - Economic Support:
To help beneficiaries manage additional financial challenges due to health issues, lack of employment, or other emergencies.
Benefits
The financial assistance is disbursed on a monthly basis as follows:
| Category | Age Criteria | Quantum of Assistance (in ₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Female | More than 40 years to less than 80 years | 2,000 |
| Male | More than 50 years to less than 80 years | 2,000 |
| Both Female & Male | 80 years or more | 2,500 |
Eligibility
- Residency:
The applicant must be a permanent resident or domiciled in Odisha. - Age Requirements:
- Female weavers/ancillary workers/handicraft artisans: 40 years and above.
- Male weavers/ancillary workers/handicraft artisans: 50 years and above.
- Survey List:
The applicant’s name must be in the final list of weavers, ancillary workers, and artisans as per the latest survey. However, national awardees, stale awardees, Kalakruti awardees, Tantakruti awardees, and those holding Design/Merit certificates are also eligible even if not in the survey list, provided they meet other criteria. - Family Limit:
Only one member per family is eligible for assistance under this scheme. - Income Limit:
The annual family income should not exceed ₹1,00,000, as verified by an Income Certificate issued by the concerned Tahasildar, Additional Tahasildar, or any other competent Revenue Department authority. - Exclusions:
Government employees, income tax payers, retired government employees, pensioners working in public undertakings or PSUs, and those availing similar benefits under other state or central schemes (such as Madhubabu Pension Yojana or Mukhyamantri Kalakar Sahayata Yojana) are not eligible. Applicants with any criminal conviction are also disqualified.
Application Process
Offline
- Obtain the Application Form:
The prescribed application form (Annexure I) is made available by the nodal agencies. Beneficiaries may collect it from the Directorate of Textiles & Handlooms or the Directorate of Handicrafts. - Complete the Form:
Fill in all required details and attach self-attested copies of the necessary documents. - Submission:
Submit the completed and signed application form, along with all supporting documents, to the Director of Textiles & Handlooms and the Director of Handicrafts. - Selection:
Qualified applications are reviewed by the District Level Selection Committee on a quarterly basis. Once enrolled and granted assistance, beneficiaries do not need to reapply.
Documents Required
- Photograph:
Recent passport-size color photograph. - Bank Details:
Self-attested Xerox copy of the first page of an Aadhaar-seeded Savings Bank passbook showing the applicant’s photograph, full name, parent’s/spouse’s name, address, bank branch, account number, and IFSC details. (The account must be in the applicant’s name and should be from a bank with Core Banking facility.) - Income Certificate:
Annual Income Certificate from the concerned Tahasildar/Additional Tahasildar or any other competent authority of the Revenue Department. - Award Certificates:
Where applicable, self-attested copies of award certificates (if the applicant has received national or state awards) are acceptable even if the name does not appear in the survey list. - Self Declaration:
A self-declaration in the prescribed format stating:- The applicant is not receiving any similar financial assistance or pension from the State or Central Government.
- If any information provided is found to be false or erroneous, the disbursed amount will be recovered as per the OPDR Act 1962.
- The applicant has not been convicted of any criminal offense.
- Proof of Age:
Any one of the following:- Electoral Photo Identity Card.
- Aadhaar Card.
- High School Certificate.
- Birth Registration Certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the benefit under the scheme?
Eligible beneficiaries receive a monthly pension of ₹2,000 (for females aged 40+ and males aged 50+) or ₹2,500 (for both genders aged 80+). - What are the eligibility criteria?
Applicants must be permanent residents of Odisha, meet the specified age criteria, be listed in the latest survey (or qualify via awards), and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹1,00,000. Only one member per family is eligible. - How do I obtain the application form?
The form can be collected from the Directorate of Textiles & Handlooms or the Directorate of Handicrafts. - Where should I submit my application?
Submit your completed application along with all required documents to the respective Directorate offices. - What documents are required?
Required documents include a recent passport-size photograph, bank account details, income certificate, award certificates (if applicable), a self-declaration, and proof of age. - Who is excluded from the scheme?
Government employees, income tax payers, retired government employees, those receiving similar benefits under other schemes, and individuals with criminal convictions are excluded.