Gandhinagar: A toolkit of tools and equipment was provided by the state government under the “Manav Kalyan Yojana” to make self-reliant economically weaker section artisans engaged in small business-employment in Gujarat. The state government has made necessary amendments to the scheme, keeping in mind the suggestions of the small artisans. The state government has implemented an enhanced “Manav Kalyan Yojana 2.0”.

Industries Minister Balwantsinh Rajput, while giving detailed information about the scheme, said that under the Manav Kalyan Yojana, the artisans doing small business for self-employment were given toolkits by the state government. While under the revised Manav Kalyan Yojana 2.0, the beneficiaries will be able to purchase their favorite tools themselves, for which e-vouchers of the toolkit will be provided by Govt. Also, under the new scheme, the beneficiaries will also be given the option of basic skill training. The implementation of the revised scheme will save Rs. 60 crore annually for the State Govt. The minister expressed confidence that this scheme will be truly beneficial for the small artisans of the state.

Toolkit quality-warranty question will come to an end

Earlier, procurement of toolkits under Manav Kalyan Yojana was delayed due to non-availability of proper prices to the state government. Also, delivery of the toolkit to more than 200 talukas of Gujarat caused delays in distribution. Quality of the toolkit and warranty were other issues. As a result there was dissatisfaction among the beneficiaries as well. Now under the new scheme the beneficiary can purchase the toolkit himself, so that the toolkit will be available to the beneficiaries quickly.

An annual Rs. 60-70 crores will be saved

Beneficiaries will be able to purchase toolkits from dealers authorized by the state government through e-vouchers. Buying a toolkit from an authorized dealer will reduce quality and warranty issues. Not only this, the implementation of the new scheme will save the state government about Rs. 60 to 70 crores. As a result, the state government will be able to extend the benefits of the toolkit to more beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries receiving training will get a daily stipend of Rs.500

Under Manav Kalyan Yojana 2.0, the beneficiaries will also be given the option of basic skill training. Beneficiaries willing to undergo training will be given five days skill training by reputed institutes including Gujarat Institute of Pottery and Rural Technology, RSETI. Beneficiaries receiving training will be given a daily allowance of Rs. 500 stipend also. An e-voucher of the toolkit will be given to the beneficiary at the end of the training. Beneficiaries who do not want to receive training will be given direct e-vouchers.

Apart from this, the beneficiaries will also be able to apply for loans under Manav Kalyan Yojana 2.0 under PM Swanidhi Yojana of Government of India and State Government, Shri Vajpayee Bankable Yojana, Dattopant Thengadi Karigar Vigosha Sahai Yojana and other bankable schemes.

The artisans of 10 professions will get the benefit of PM Vishwakarma Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana for small artisans of the country was implemented last year, in which e-vouchers of toolkits are given to artisans belonging to 18 professions. As the artisans of 10 professions included in the Manav Kalyan Yojana are eligible for benefits under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, to ensure that the beneficiaries do not get assistance twice, tailoring, pottery, blacksmithing, beadwork, cobbler, carpentry, washerman, broom-supada maker, fish seller-net maker and tinkerer trades. have been removed from Manav Kalyan Yojana 2.0.

Who can take advantage of this scheme?

Centring work, vehicle servicing-repairing work, embroidery, plumber, beauty parlour, electric appliance repairing, milk-curd seller, papad maker, pickle maker and small artisans can benefit from the Manav Kalyan Yojana 2.0 which came into effect from July 1. Applicant age must be 18 to 60 years to avail the benefit of this scheme. Moreover, only one artisan per family can avail the benefit of this scheme. The annual income of the family Should not be more than Rs. 6 lakhs. Widows, BPL card holders and low income applicants will be given priority by the state government. Apart from this, only applicants who do not have any government employee in their family will be included in this scheme.

How will the beneficiary be selected?

To avail the benefits of this scheme, the beneficiaries have to apply on the e-Kutir portal, the e-Kutir portal has been opened by the state government. After applying, the application will be verified by the District Industry Centre. All state applications approved by District Industry Center will be drawn online. Beneficiaries selected in the online draw will be given benefits under Manav Kalyan Yojana 2.0, while remaining applications will be carried forward to the next year. After purchasing the toolkit through e-voucher method, the District Industry Center will also conduct a home visit inspection of the beneficiary to ensure that the toolkit is not misused. DeshGujarat