This was announced by State Micro and Small-Scale Enterprises and Textiles Department Minister Manabendra Mukherjee at the inauguration of the West Bengal State Handicraft Expo here today.

“The total sum insured per artisan would be Rs 1 lakh and they would be also entitled to a mediclaim of Rs 15,000 per year,” said G D Gautama, Secretary State Micro and Small-Scale Enterprises and Textiles Department.

The scheme will initially target one lakh artisans in the state. The total premium of individual artisan will be Rs 800, of which the Central government will contribute Rs 650 and the remaining will be borne by the state government. However, in case of artisan families living below the poverty line (BPL) and falling under the SC/ST category, the Centre’s contribution will be Rs 725 and the state will shell out Rs 75.

The state government has tied up with a number of national insurance agencies to ensure that the artisans benefit from these schemes.

Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today stressed on the need for more permanent trade venues where artisans can showcase their work and meet prospective buyers from country and abroad throughout the year.

“Apart from the expositions, it is very important to have a permanent trade centre. I am already talking to my colleagues in the department concerned regarding this,” said Bhattacharjee.

The state government has also received funds from the Centre for setting up one of the three proposed ‘urban haat” at Durgapur. The negotiations for a second centre at Shantiniketan are in the final stages.

“We have already prepared a detailed project report for the Durgapur haat and work will begin soon. It will be completed in 18 months from the commencement date,” Gautama said.

The state government is also planning to send artisans to four international exhibitions this year where they can showcase their products. This was decide after the government received favourable responses from delegations that were sent to Milan, Barcelona and Singapore last year.