TN to introduce health insurance scheme for artisans

Chennai, May 2 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government will introduce a health insurance scheme for artisans in handicraft sector on par with Handloom weaver, Khadi Minister K Ramachandran told the state Assembly today.

Replying to demand for grants for his department, he said under the Centre's insurance scheme, the total premium of Rs 200, to be paid by the artisans, would be shared between LIC Social Welfare Fund (Rs 100), Centre (Rs 60) and the artisan's share of Rs 40, which would be borne by Tamil Nadu government.

The scheme covering 10,000 artisans would be introduced during the current year, he added.

Though the handicrafts had good domestic and global market, the artisans were without any social security, he said and added that the artisans covered under the scheme would get Rs 30,000 in case of natural death, Rs 60,000 for accidental death, Rs 30,000 for partial disability and Rs 60,000 for total disability.

In addition to this, two children of the artisans studying from standard nine to 12, would be eligible for a scholarship of Rs 100 per month.

UNI