Mukhyamantri Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana 2024: According to the National Handloom Census 2009-2010 report, Odisha has 40,683 households of weavers operating 43,652 handlooms. The majority of these weaver households belong to other backward castes, scheduled castes, and scheduled tribe communities, residing in rural clusters. These skilled artisans, working with yarns, dyes, and chemicals, have dedicated long years to weaving unique and iconic designs on handlooms, becoming torchbearers of Odisha’s ancient weaving heritage.

Despite the physically demanding nature of their work, these weavers continue to pass on their specialized skills to the younger generations within their families, ensuring the continuity of this invaluable legacy. Recognizing their unparalleled contribution and aiming to provide a safety net for their old age, the “BARISTHA BUNAKAR SAHAYATA YOJANA” is proposed to support weavers aged 60 and above. This initiative acknowledges their significant role in preserving and enriching the cultural fabric of Odisha for generations to come.

What is Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana?

On February 14, 2024, the Odisha Government has freshly launched the  Mukhyamantri Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana. It is an old-age pension scheme for the weavers of the state.  The state government will now provide monthly financial assistance of INR 2,000 to female beneficiaries aged 40 to 80 and male beneficiaries aged 50 to 80. Weavers and artisans above 80 years are eligible for a monthly allowance of INR 2,500.

Initially, the government was providing payments of INR 500 to senior weavers and INR 700 to those above 80 years. However, there was no provision for handicraft artisans. The government will soon initiate the process of identifying and registering beneficiaries. It is noteworthy that the state has approximately 1.25 lakh weavers and 1.5 lakh handicraft artisans.

To be eligible for the scheme, weavers and artisans need to be registered with the Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts. Only one member per family qualifies for the allowance, and the applicant’s annual income should not exceed INR 1 lakh. Individuals already benefiting from similar schemes under the central or state government are not eligible. Let’s talk about the scheme in detail. 

Mukhyamantri Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana 2024 Key Highlights
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Launch Date	February 14, 2024,
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Official Website	Directorate of Handloom and Handicrafts.
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Objective	To provide social security to the Wevers of Odisha by providing them pensions after 60 years of age
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Beneficairy	Old age Wevers of Odisha
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Pension Amount	Rs 2000 to Rs 2500 per month
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Age Limit	Above 60 Years
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana No. of Beneficaires	1.25 lakh weavers and 1.5 lakh handicraft artisans.
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Income Limit	Rs 1 Lakh Per Annum
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Mode of Application	Offline
Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Helpline Number	0674-2322785

Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Objectives

• Preserve the heritage of Odisha’s weavers and handicraft artisans through the Mukhyamantri Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana.
• Provide financial support to weavers and handcraft artisans, ensuring they can continue their work without financial concerns.
• Alleviate the financial burden on weavers, enabling them to meet their daily needs independently.
• The program offers financial aid, allowing weavers and artisans to sustain their livelihoods without external assistance.
• Interested candidates meeting the eligibility criteria must complete the online application on the official website.
• Selected applicants under the Yojana are eligible to receive financial support, with a maximum amount of INR 2000. 

Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Benefits 

• Financial aid is offered to selected applicants by the Odisha state government through the Mukhyamantri Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana.
• Chosen applicants will receive a direct deposit of INR 2000 as financial assistance into their bank accounts.
• The program plays a vital role in preserving Odisha’s weaving heritage and supporting handicraft laborers.
• Financial assistance empowers handicraft workers and weavers to meet their daily needs independently.
• Artists aged 80 years or above are eligible for increased financial assistance, receiving INR 2,500 under the scheme.

Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Financial Assistance
40 to 80 Years (Female)	Rs 2000 Per Month
50 to 80 Years (Male)	Rs 2000 Per Month
Above 80 Years	Rs 2500 Per Month

BALIA Scheme 2024 | Credit Free Loan to Odisha Weavers Hiked to 1 Lakh Rupees

Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Eligibility Criteria 

• Individuals aged 60 years and above are eligible for benefits under the Scheme.
• Applicants must have a minimum of 20 years of prior work experience in the relevant profession, reaching this milestone upon turning 60.
• Eligibility extends to both Bunakars and full-time ancillary workers.
• Widows are eligible, regardless of age, provided their late husband was a Bunakar or full-time ancillary worker for at least 10 years at the time of death.
• The family income of the applicant should not exceed Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum, certified by the concerned Tahsildar.
• Applicants must be permanent residents/domiciles of Odisha.
• Both Bunakars and ancillary workers should possess valid weaver’s identity cards issued by the State/Central Government.
• Applicants are required to submit an affidavit or self-declaration confirming that they do not receive any other monthly financial assistance/pension from the State or Central Government.
• An affidavit or self-declaration stating that the applicant has not been convicted of any criminal offense is mandatory. However, the Government may consider waiving this condition in cases where the conviction is not based on moral turpitude, as judged by the circumstances.
• In cases where multiple family members meet the eligibility criteria, only one member will be entitled to benefits under the scheme.

Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Documents Required

• Three self-attested copies of recent passport-size color photographs.
• Self-attested copy of the Weavers Identity Card.
• Self-attested Xerox copy of the 1st page of the individual Savings Bank Pass Book, displaying photograph, full name, name of father/spouse, address, bank, branch, account number, IFSC, and MICR code details. The account must be in the applicant’s name as mentioned in the application form, and opened in a bank with a core banking facility for digital transfer of assistance.
• Certificate from the concerned Tahasildar confirming the total annual family income.
• Proof of age.
• An affidavit stating that the applicant is not receiving similar assistance from either the State or Central Government.

Verification of the applicant’s age, as stated in the application, can be confirmed through any of the following documents:

• Electoral Photo Identity Card
• AADHAAR Card
• High School Certificate
• Birth Registration Certificate

Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana Application Process 

• Obtain the application form from the Zonal Office of the Directorate of Textiles within the Handloom sector or from the official website of the Department of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts.
• Fill out the application form accurately in duplicate as per the prescribed format.
• Submit the completed application form along with the required documents to the Zonal Officer (DDT/ADT, as applicable).
• The Zonal Officer will record the particulars in a register at their level, prioritizing entries based on the application receipt date.
• Maintain the order of priority when sanctioning assistance under the BBSY scheme.

Baristha Bunkar Karigar Sahayata Yojana FAQs

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