The Orissa government plans to issue identity cards to the artisans in the coir sector and the salt workers. A similar process is currently on for the handicraft artisans.
Since there are a number of schemes being implemented by the government of India (GoI) targeting the artisans and the salt workers, the issue of identity cards will help them to avail the benefits. “The benefits of various schemes can reach the intended beneficiary if he is correctly identified”, a senior official of the state industry department said.
Sources said, the actual artisans in the coir sector and the salt workers can benefit from schemes like Namak Majdoor Awas Yojana (NMAY), Rajiv Gandhi Swastha Vima Yojana (RGSVY) and Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY).
The NMAY envisages construction of 234 houses in Ganjam and 12 houses in Balasore. Besides, the handicraft artisans are being covered under Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) and Rajiv Gandhi Swastha Vima Yojana (RGSVY).
Under JBY, out of the annual premium of Rs 200, a sum of Rs 60 is contributed by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), New Delhi, Rs 100 by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) and the remaining Rs 40 by the artisan being covered. However, only 11,673 artisans have availed the benefit under the scheme.
The state government has also decided to launch a special drive to issue credit cards to more artisans in the handicraft sector. About 6840 cards were issued in the state to handicraft artisans during the last fiscal.