Karkhandar Scheme For Development Of Craft Sector 2026

The Artist Welfare Fund of Assam provides financial assistance and support to artists and their dependents in Read More... the state who are facing hardship. Read less

Details

The cultural heart of Assam beats with the rhythm of its talented artists. Recognizing their invaluable contribution, the Assam government, through the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation under the Department of Cultural Affairs, has established 'The Artist Welfare Fund of Assam'. This scheme aims to provide a crucial safety net for artists and their families when they need it most.

What Is This Scheme?

The Artist Welfare Fund of Assam is a vital initiative designed to offer financial relief and support to artists and their dependents. It extends its help across the entire state of Assam to those who have dedicated their lives to art and culture but are currently facing difficult times.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is for individuals who are artists in the fields of art and culture within Assam. It specifically caters to those who are in distress, whether due to old age, illness, accident, or other challenging circumstances. The fund also supports the dependents of artists, ensuring a broader circle of care.

Why This Scheme Is Important

This fund plays a significant role in acknowledging and supporting the artistic community. It ensures that artists who have enriched Assam's cultural landscape are not left to suffer in financial distress. The scheme provides a helping hand for medical emergencies, education, and general financial hardship, thereby safeguarding the well-being of artists and their families.

Objective

The Artist Welfare Fund of Assam provides financial assistance and support to artists and their dependents in the state who are facing hardship.

Benefits

Financial assistance to Trainees:

Rate of stipend per trainee/ per month:- ₹2000/- (₹1000/- shall be paid through an individual bank account and the rest of the amount shall be disbursed on the successful completion of probation/ practical training session).

The trainees are facilitated in the opening of Bank accounts under the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).

Financial assistance to the Karkhandar (Trainer):

Logistic Charges/Honorarium to Trainer/Karkhandar: ₹ 2000/- per trainee per month. (A minimum of five trainees for an identified small Karkhana and a maximum of 10 trainees for an identified big Karkhana.)

The Karkhandar is provided a lump sum of ₹25,000/- per batch as expenditure on account of all the logistics needed for running the training program successfully, i.e. tools, equipment, looms, raw material, space, etc.

The amount shall be disbursed in two installments:

1st installment at the commencement of the training program

2nd installment on successful completion of the training program.

Note:

The honorarium to Karkhandars shall be disbursed only after assessing that the desired level of skills is achieved by the trainee and trainees shall be evaluated through an approved qualifying framework devised for skill up-gradation level.

The disbursement shall be through DBT mode only.

Sources and references

Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

You must be recognized as an artist contributing to the art and culture of Assam.
If you are applying as the artist, you must be at least 20 years old.
You must be currently facing financial distress or hardship.
You should have demonstrable achievements or a significant mark in the field of arts and culture.
You need to be able to submit proof or credentials that support your artistic achievements.

How To Apply

To apply for The Artist Welfare Fund of Assam, you need to follow an offline process. Download the standard application form from the official website. Once filled, submit the completed form along with all required documents to the office of Assam State Film (Finance & Development) Corporation Ltd (ASFFDC) at the following address:

Shilpgram Road, near Sankardev Kalakshetra, Panjabari, Guwahati-37.

The link to the application form is provided below.

Documents Required

Applicants must submit self-attested copies of the following documents:

A recent, clear, and colored passport-sized photograph (not older than six months).
Aadhaar Card.
Proof of Identity.
Proof of Residence of Assam (e.g., Passport, Driving License, Electricity Bill, Bank Account Statement, Domicile Certificate, Spouse's Passport, etc.).
Proof of Age / Date of Birth (e.g., Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, Birth Certificate, Matriculation Certificate, etc.).
Proof and details related to your achievements in the field of arts.
Details of any Award/Distinction/Honour conferred on you.
Proof of any Medical Ailment (Medical Certificate).
Income Certificate.
Details of your Aadhaar Linked Bank Account.

Official Sources

You can find the application form and more details at: Application Form Link

FAQ’s

What is the definition of an 'Artist' for this scheme?

An 'Artist' is defined as someone who has made significant contributions to the state's art and culture through their creativity. This includes performing artists (dance, music, drama), cine artists, visual artists, technicians, sculptors, craftsmen, puppeteers, and others.

Can an artist receive financial aid if they are in distress due to old age?

Yes, absolutely. The scheme is designed to help artists, or their dependents, who are in financial trouble because of old age or any handicap caused by an accident or disease.

How do I prove my achievements in arts and culture to apply?

You need to provide artistic credentials that clearly show your achievements and contributions to the field of arts and culture. This helps validate your application.

Is financial assistance guaranteed for every artist who applies?

No, receiving financial assistance is not a matter of right. It depends on whether the applicant meets all the eligibility criteria and also on the availability of funds. The Board also reserves the right to reject any application without giving a reason.

What specific financial help is available for cancer treatment?

For cancer treatment, the scheme provides financial assistance up to ₹ 50,000.00.

Does this scheme cover educational expenses for an artist's children?

Yes, the scheme helps with the education of artists and their dependents. This support for education is limited to a maximum of two children.

What kind of documents are accepted as proof of residence in Assam?

You can use documents like a Passport, Driving License, Electricity Bill, Landline Bill, Water Bill, Gas Bill, Bank Account Statement, Government-issued Domicile Certificate, Spouse's Passport, Post Office Pass Book, Property Registration Document, or an Elector’s Photo Identity Card as proof of residence.

What does 'dependent' mean under this welfare fund?

'Dependent' includes the spouse of a deceased artist, their minor sons and daughters, unmarried and non-earning daughters, and parents who are fully reliant on the artist.

What is the age requirement to apply as an artist?

If you are applying as an artist yourself, you must be over 20 years of age.

Is there any limit on the financial help for a heart pacemaker or bypass surgery?

Yes, for a heart pacemaker or bypass surgery, the financial grant is limited to ₹ 20,000.00.

Where can I find the official application form for this scheme?

You can download the official application form from the provided link: Application Form Link.

Does the scheme apply to artists in states other than Assam?

No, 'The Artist Welfare Fund of Assam' is exclusively for artists residing and contributing within the state of Assam and does not extend to other northeastern states or anywhere else in India.

Which department handles the Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation?

The Assam State Film (Finance and Development) Corporation operates under the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam.

What are the accepted documents for proving age or date of birth?

You can use your Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Elector’s photo identity card, Passport, Driving License, Birth Certificate issued by the Municipal Authority, Marriage certificate, or your Matriculation/10th class certificate or mark sheet as proof of age/DOB.

Is it acceptable to use a passport photo that is a year old?

No, the passport-sized photograph must be recent, meaning it should not be older than six months. It also needs to be clear and in color.

What kind of support is provided for artists who face accidents?

The scheme provides assistance to artists in case of accidents. For disability arising from an accident, the amount of assistance is decided by the Board. Medical aid and general financial assistance for emergencies are also covered.