November 22, 2014
WB Govt to give credit cards to handicraft artists
West Bengal State Handicrafts Fair, 2014 – one of the largest handicraft fairs in India – was inaugurated by the Minister for Industry, Finance and Commerce, Dr Amit Mitra. Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Mr Swapan Debnath was also present on the occasion.
More than 3000 handicraft artists participate in this annual fair organised by the Department of Small and Medium Enterprises, West Bengal Government. The fair will be held till December 14.
While inaugurating the fair Dr Amit Mitra said that the handicraft artists will be given credit cards, modelled after Kisan Credit Cards.
Skill development training will be provided to them by the Federation of India Export Organization so that the manufactured products may be of export quality.
Through the credit cards, the artisans can take a maximum loan of Rs 50,000 and once they repay the loan, more amounts will be approved.
This year, the government has also decided to pay Rs 75 daily to every artisan participating in the fair.
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