Kesh-Shilpi Yojana-2013 has been implemented in the state for welfare and rehabilitation of hair dressers. Survey and registration of hair dressers in urban areas will be completed by June 15. After survey, identity cards will be provided to hair dressers till June 30. Urban Administration & Development Department has issued directives and guidelines in this connection to district collectors, commissioners of municipal corporations and chief municipal officers.
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had convened Kesh-Shilpi Panchayat at his residence on January 29 for socio-economic rehabilitation of hair dressers. Kesh-Shilpi Kalyan Yojana has been chalked out on the basis of suggestions put forth at the panchayat.
In Madhya Pradesh, hair dressing has been an ancestral profession carried out by a particular section of society. Under the scheme, a number of provisions have been incorporated for economic empowerment of this section. These include allotment of suitable place to hair dresser for carrying out profession, skill development, health insurance cover, loans for expanding business and scholarships to their children. Identification of places for hair dressers in over 5000 towns in the state will be done on priority. Wives of hair dressers will be extended maternity benefits for maximum 2 children.
Under the scheme, they will be given wages of 6 weeks at collector rate. Prospective father will also be provided wages equal to 2 weeks. `1000 will be given for expenses on maternity.
Under the scheme, hair dressers’ children will be provided scholarships. Registered hair dressers will be given assistance for daughter’s marriage, treatment and `2000 for performing last rites. They will also be covered under Janshri insurance. Premium for the insurance will be borne by the State Government. Under Janshri insurance, `30 thousand will be provided on natural death, `75 thousand on death or permanent disability and `37 thousand 500 on partial disability. Benefits of Swarozgar Credit Card Yojana launched for the urban poor will also be provided to registered hair dressers.
For effective implementation and monitoring of Kesh-Shilpi Kalyan Yojana, an empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary has been constituted at the state-level. Monitoring committee headed by Principal Secretary Urban Administration and district-level committees headed by collector have also been constituted. Details of the scheme can be obtained from Municipal Corporation Commissioners, Chief Municipal Officers of Nagar Palikas and Nagar Parishad and offices of the District Urban Development Agency.