“Artisan” means a worker with knowledge / skill to produce things/crafts by hand or by toolkits /small machines etc and the products have distinctive features and utility value. So, the term artisan includes handicrafts artisans as well as artisans engaged in traditional crafts/trades like Blacksmithy, Pottery, Carpentry, Masonry, Garland making (Malakar), Shoe making (Charmakar), Garments washing /Washer-man (Dhobi), Boat making, Fishing, Net making, Broom making, Coir product making, Clay Doll making, Folk/Musical instrument making, Puppetry.

The Scheme will be implemented and monitored by the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles.

On receipt of an application complete in all respect in rural area, the concerned BDO will cause an enquiry through an IDO (or, any Extension Officer in case no IDO is posted in that Block), by way of spot verification to ascertain genuineness of the claim and claimant(s).

Similarly, in case of Municipality area, concerned SDO office will cause an enquiry through Executive Officer of the concerned Municipality. In case of Municipal Corporation area, the Commissioner may cause enquiry through any borough level officer as may be deemed fit.

In case of any misrepresentation of facts or furnishing false information by an applicant ,all his/ her claims under the scheme shall be revoked.

For Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts, the administrative department will release funds directly to the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA) for drawing and disbursement. Sanctioned list will be displayed in the Notice Board of concerned DM’s Office and GTA office.

After expiry of the artisan/weaver, the claimant(s) of the benefit should produce a certificate from the local BDO regarding his eligibility of claim (form to be drafted).

"West Bengal Migrant Workers’ Welfare Scheme: Death Assistance" is a social welfare scheme implemented by the West Bengal Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board, Labour Department, Government of West Bengal, that provides an one time assistance to the nominee in case of natural death/accidental death of the registered migrant worker.

This scheme was launched on 7th March, 2024.

The family of the deceased weavers & artisans of the state are the targeted beneficiaries under this scheme.

Under this scheme, ₹2,00,000/- only per deceased Weaver/ Artisan is provided to the beneficiaries.

The eligible claimant for the deceased artisan/weaver should collect and submit the application in prescribed format with all requisite enclosures at the earliest to the local BDO/SDO office of the concerned Block/Municipal Corporation area.

No, there is no specific income criteria to be eligible for the scheme.

The assistance will be provided one time to the beneficiaries.

The application must be submitted within 3 months of the death of the artisan/weaver.