(a) the details of the incentives and other welfare schemes for textile workers being implemented by the Government;
(b) whether the Government has released a package under the incentive scheme for textile workers;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is considering the grant of special package for the welfare of textile workers in various needy States including Rajasthan; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
(a) to (c): The following welfare schemes for Textile workers are being implemented by the Ministry of Textiles:-
(i) Direct Benefit to Artisans for the Welfare of Artisans is being implemented for artisans in the Handicrafts sector having the following sub components:-
• Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthaya Bima yojna for Health Insurance currently under merger with Rashtriya Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojna.
• Aam Admi Bima Yojna providing for life and accident Insurance
• Support to artisans in indigent circumstances wherein award of Rs 3500 is provided to Shilp Guru and National award /Nation merit certificates recipients less than 60 years of age and earning less than Rs 50000
• Credit Guarantee Scheme under which O/O DC Handicrafts pays guarantee fee to Credit Gaurantee Fund Trust for Micro and small enterprises for the coverage of handicraft artisans.
• Mudra loan for Handicraft Artisans in line with Pradhan Mantri Mudra yojna.
• Interest subvention scheme under which interest subvention of 6% provided to handicraft workers with a limit of Rs 100000 for three years
(ii) Handloom Weavers Comprehensive Welfare Scheme is being implemented for the Handloom Weavers having both health, life and accident insurance components as available to the artisans in the handicraft sector. Both the above programmes under merger with national level programmes for health and life and accident insurance. Seperately, the Ministry also implements the National Handloom Development Programme, the Yarn Supply Scheme as well as the Comprehensive Handloom Cluster Development programme under which the Ministry provides interalia interest subvention, margin money, credit guarantee, yarn at subsidized rates etc to the handloom weavers.
(iii) Group Insurance Scheme for Powerloom workers: The scheme provides insurance cover in the case of natural death accidental death as well as permanent and partial disability due to accident. The scheme is being implemented since 2003-04.
(iv) Under the special package provided for garments and madeups, the government additionally provides 3.67% share of employer’s contribution towards provident fund in addition to the 8.33% being provided under Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Protsahan Yojna for all new employees enrolling in EPFO for the first three years .The Government has also made employees’ contribution to EPF optional for employees earning less than Rs 15000 per month under the special package for garments and madeups.
(d) & (e): All the above mentioned schemes and incentives are being implemented by Government on a pan India basis, including in Rajasthan.
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