West Bengal Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme

Old Age and Registered Handicraft and Village Industries Artisans of West Bengal will now get a monthly old age pension of Rs. 1,000/- per month under the Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme. Handicraft Artisans of 60 years or more are eligible to apply. Read the full article to know more.

Introduction of West Bengal Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme: A Brief Insight

• Handicrafts of West Bengal are famous in India as well as across the globe.
• Artisans of Handicrafts, when they reach their old age phase, don’t have any financial security.
• So, to provide them with social security financially, the Government of West Bengal started a separate old-age pension for Handicraft Artisans.
• The name of the scheme is “West Bengal Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme”.
• The main aim of starting this scheme is to provide financial security to artisans of West Bengal in their old age.
• Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department is the implementing department of this scheme.
• This scheme is also known by some other names such as “Handicraft Artisan Old Age Prakalpa” or “West Bengal Old Age Pension Scheme for Handicraft Artisans”.
• Government of West Bengal will provide monthly financial assistance as pension to all Handicraft Artisans of 60 Years or More than 60 Years of Age.
• Only Registered Handicraft and Village Industries Artisans are eligible to get a monthly old age pension under the Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme.
• Rs. 1,000/- per month pension will get by Old Age Handicraft Artisan under this scheme from West Bengal Government.
• This pension scheme is a sub-scheme under one umbrella scheme for pensions of West Bengal named “Jai Bangla Pension Scheme”.
• If the Old Age Handicraft Artisan is a beneficiary of other pension schemes of West Bengal Government such as “Manabik Pension Scheme” or “Jai Johar Scheme” or “Taposili Bandhu Scheme” or “Disability Pension Scheme” or “Old Age Pension Scheme” or “Widow Pension Scheme”, then they are not eligible to apply under Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme of the Government of West Bengal.
• Application Form can be collected by Handicraft Artisan from the Block Development Office or Sub Divisional Office or from the Office of Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
• Once selected, Old Age Handicraft and Village Industries Artisans of West Bengal will get a monthly pension of Rs. 1,000/- per month under the Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme.
• It is the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme, so beneficiaries will get the pension amount directly into their bank account.
• West Bengal Government also launched Portal for Artisans and Weavers of West Bengal.
• If the beneficiary needs any help or assistance with the West Bengal Government’s Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme, then they will contact their BDO, SDO or KMC Office.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

• West Bengal Government will provide the following benefits to old-age artisans and weavers under its Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme :-
  • Monthly Financial Assistance as a Pension will be provided.
  • Rs. 1,000/- per Month Pension will be given to all Eligible Beneficiaries.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

• Monthly Old Age Pension to Handicraft Artisan will only be provided if they fulfil the below-mentioned eligibility conditions of the scheme which is set by the Government of West Bengal :-
  • The beneficiary should be a Registered Handicraft or Village Industries Artisan.
  • Handicraft Artisan Age must be 60 Years or More than 60 Years.
  • Permanent Residents or Residents of West Bengal for 10 years are Eligible to apply.
  • Other Pension Scheme Beneficiaries are not Eligible to apply.

Documents Required to be Attached

• Beneficiaries will have to attach the following documents with the Application Form of Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme at the time of applying for the monthly old age pension :-
  • Any West Bengal Residence Proof of 10 Years.
  • Beneficiary Aadhar Card.
  • Bank Account Number and IFSC Code.
  • 1 Photo.
  • Family Digital Ration Card.
  • Registration Number of Artisan and Weaver.
  • Voter ID Card.
  • Mobile Number or Email.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

• Old Age Handicraft Artisans of West Bengal can apply for their monthly old age pension through Offline Application Form.
• No online application form facility is available and there is also no official website of the Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme of the West Bengal Government is available.
• Offline Application Form of Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme can be obtained without any cost from Gram Panchayat, Block Development Officer, Sub Divisional Officer or Kolkata Municipal Corporation Office.
• It is advisable to all beneficiaries to check the eligibility conditions of the scheme before applying for this pension scheme.
• Take the Application Form, fill it correctly and attach all the mandatory documents with the application form.
• Beneficiary Artisans will have to submit the Application Form and all Documents in the office of BDO, SDO or Kolkata Municipal Corporation Office.
• Primary verification will be done by BDO, SDO and KMC Office.
• Selected Beneficiary list will then uploaded on Jai Bangla Portal and forwarded to the District Collector’s Office for further approval.
• District Collector’s Office will then verify the details of applicants and further forward it to the Department for sanction and disbursement of pension amount.
• Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department will sanction the Old Age Pension for Artisans and Weavers and transfer the pension amount directly into their bank account.
• The beneficiary can also check their Application Status of West Bengal Government’s Artisan Old Age Pension by visiting the SDO, BDO or KMC Office.

Important Links Available

• Application Form of Handicraft Artisan Old Age Pension Scheme.
• Portal for Artisan and Weavers of West Bengal.
• Official Website of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Contact Number of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department :- 033 22145999
• Contact Email of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department :-
  • msmet.wb@gmail.com.
  • msme@wb.gov.in.
• Address of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department West Bengal :-
  4, Abanindranath Tagore Sarani (Camac Street),
  8th Floor, Kolkata,
  West Bengal – 700091

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