(a) the State-wise number of Artisan Welfare Fund Trusts (AWFTs) set up by the Khadi and
Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in the country;
(b) the details of the various activities undertaken by AWFTs;
(c) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding the working of AWFTs;
(d) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and current year, State/UT-wise; and
(e) the action taken by the Government in this regard, State/UT-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
(SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)
(a): State-wise number of Artisan Welfare Fund Trusts (AWFTs) set up by the Khadi and Village
Industries Commission (KVIC) in the country is given at Annex.
(b): Khadi Institutions enlisted with the KVIC/ Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs) of
States / Union Territories are required to create AWFTs with a view to extending security and other
help to artisans. The works undertaken by the AWFTs include providing financial help required by the
artisans in their hours of need such as daughter’s marriage, medical treatment, education of children,
construction of house/ purchase of property etc. Amount accruing to Artisan Welfare Fund (AWF) is
kept in fixed deposits in nationalized Banks. Khadi institutions are required to contribute 12
percent of wages of artisans to AWF whose benefit is extended to all artisans except those who
are salaried employees of khadi institutions. Separate accounts in respect of each artisan showing
the subscriptions made by him / her together with the contribution made by the institution are
maintained. Each artisan, subscribing to this fund is issued a pass book by the khadi institution.
In the case of death of an artisan, the entire amount to his/her credit in AWFTs is paid to his/her
legal heirs or nominees.
(c) to (e): No complaints as such have been received in the Ministry regarding the working of
AWFTs. However, complaints received in KVIC are dealt with in normal course by KVIC on a
continuing basis.