MillenniumPost
Bengal

Govt fixes pension target for at least 125 elderly artisans in each district

The Bengal government has fixed a target to give away pension to at least 125 artisans in every district. The project to pay pension to old handicrafts and village industries artisans has already benefitted hundreds of people.

Conceptualised by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, this pension scheme has brought smile to such elderly artisans who cannot work due to their age-related restrictions. Most of them have eye problems which restrict them to do their work. Banerjee had instructed her MSME department to come up with such an innovative pension scheme, so that no artisans have to feel financially insecure after leaving work.

Handicrafts were the most neglected among the other industries for the last four decades in Bengal. Bengal's handicrafts were never promoted in the global stage. The Mamata Banerjee government introduced 'Biswa Bangla' – a range of Handcrafted heritage products – which has become a pioneering move in the sector. Bengal's artefacts are now available under the brand name of Biswa Bangla.

But securing the livelihood of the artisans, the government has taken various steps like entrepreneurship skill development, cluster development, assistance and incentive schemes, apart from pension scheme project.

"The Micro, Small and Medium Scale enterprises department have been implementing the scheme for providing Old Age Pension to handicrafts and village industries artisans in recognition to their contribution in the craft. Many artisans are now getting the pension," said Swapan Debnath, Bengal's MSME minister, while talking to the Millennium Post.

The elderly artisans are getting Rs 750 per month as pension. The government is targeting to give away the amount to at least 125 artisans in every district. But this target will increase with time.

There are certain conditions which need to be followed before getting the pension. The pensioners have to be residents of Bengal and he or she should be 60-years-old or above.

It has to be ensured that the pension seekers have worked for at least 10 years in manufacture of handicrafts and village industries products and has been earning his livelihood as a handicrafts or a village industry artisan, either independently or in a registered society, co-operative or voluntary organisation.

The applicant of the pension has to ensure that he is living in this state for ten years and he is not receiving any pension from the state government or government of India as well.

The directorate of MSME is ready to update the status of pensioners, district-wise in their website.
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