Bhopal: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Bamboo and Bamboo Craft Board will be set up to protect interests of bamboo craftspersons in the State. Madhya Pradesh Bamboo Development Mission will be launched to ensure availability of bamboo in the State.
Traditional bamboo artisans will be accorded status of bamboo craftspersons and will be registered. He was addressing Bamboo Artisans’ Panchayat at Chief Minister’s residence here today. At the panchayat convened in the series of panchayats for various sections of society, the Chief Minister announced a number of gifts for bamboo craftspersons. Forest Minister Sartaj Singh and Minister of State for Scheduled Castes Welfare Harishankar Khatik were especially present on the occasion.
Chouhan said that in democracy, Government stands for people’s welfare. The people lagging behind in race for development will be brought on par with others. Through panchayats, people’s problems are being solved by holding discussions with concerning sections. Manual artisans should be regarded as craftspersons.
Making announcements in the interest of bamboo craftspersons, the Chief Minister said that they will be registered. Registered bamboo craftspersons will be provided social securities like assistance for maternity, marriage, treatment, death or injury in accident etc. Under Mukhyamantri Byaj Anudan Yojana, 5 per cent loan subsidy will be given for 5 years to bamboo craftspersons for production and sale of their products. Under this yojana, the State Government will provide Rs 5,000 subsidy on Rs 10,000 loan at zero percent interest rate availed from banks and upto Rs 25,000 subsidy on loans above Rs 10,000 upto Rs 5 lakh and 5 per cent loan subsidy for 5 years to bamboo craftspersons.
Upto 75 per cent subsidy will be given on setting workshop costing upto Rs 5 lakh by self-help groups of bamboo craftspersons. They will be imparted training in ITI s during which they will be provided stipends. Stalls will be made available to bamboo craftspersons to assist them in marketing their products.
Places will be reserved for craftspersons in haat-bazaars being developed in villages under Mukhyamantri Haat-Bazaar Yojana. Registered bamboo craftspersons will be provided wages of 45 days as maternity assistance, Rs 15,000 under marriage assistance scheme, Rs 500 to Rs 5000 scholarship to their children studying in class 1 to 5 under education promotion scheme, medical assistance upto Rs 3 lakh Rs 1 lakh to family of a craftsperson in case of unnatural death and Rs 75 for suffering permanent disability.