Tamil Nadu’s artisans development scheme to cover 25 trades

Carpentry, metal works, masonry, painting, glassworks, stucco works, boat making, lock making, sculpting/stone carving, pottery are among them

The Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam rolled out by the government aims to cover 25 trades and intends to benefit “any artisan or craftsperson” of 35 years of age with a relevant experience of five years in a chosen trade. Beneficiaries could get up to ₹3 lakh as loan assistance.

The subsidy component of the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam would be 25% of the loan value capped at ₹50,000. The subsidy would be released only after completion of both skill as well as entrepreneurship development training in proportion to loans availed in each of the tranches.

A credit guarantee cover of up to 90% would be provided for loans sanctioned by banks under the scheme. Beneficiaries could also get 5% of interest subvention reimbursed for the loan assistance provided by the bank.

According to the guidelines, the scheme would be for new and diversified activities and not for expansion of established enterprise. There was no income ceiling for availing the benefits.

However, the applicant should not have availed of subsidy benefit greater than ₹1.50 lakh under any programme implemented by the Tamil Nadu government during the past five years.

Beneficiaries under the New Entrepreneur-cum-Enterprise Development Scheme (NEEDS), Unemployed Youth Employment Guarantee Scheme (UYEGP), Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS), Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Programme for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Socio-Economic Development (CM-ARISE) who have paid their loans, are eligible.

The 25 trades to be covered in the Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam are: carpentry, metal works, masonry, painting, glassworks, stucco works, boat making, lock making, sculpting/stone carving, pottery, basket making, doll/toy making, garland making, fishnet making, tailoring and jewel making.

Hair designing, washing and laundry, leather handicrafts and footwear making, traditional music instrument making, weaving and embroidery, traditional textile printing, beadworks, bamboo works, tribal natural harvests and artisanal products are also in the list of 25 trades.

Published - December 11, 2024 09:17 pm IST