Members are aware that O/o. the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India approved Handicraft Artisans Comprehensive Welfare Scheme – Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana during 2008 which provides health care package of  Rs. 15,000/- per Handicraft Artisan’s  family per year, comprising of four members i.e. insured artisan himself/herself and any three out of spouse, dependent parents and children.  Besides, there is a provision for an insurance cover of Rs. 1.00 lakh to cover accidental death/ disability of the insured artisans.

The total annual premium to avail these benefit is Rs. 800/- plus Service Tax, out of which artisans belonging to SC/ST, BPL and NER have to contribute Rs. 75/- only and the rest of the artisans have to contribute just  Rs. 150/- per annum.  The Govt. of India will contribute the remaining premium and applicable Service Tax.  The benefits include OPD and cashless facilities and also cover pre-existing diseases.  The ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company will implement the scheme in the entire country through its network of empanelled hospitals.

As the above scheme is likely to be closed shortly and on the request of the industry and to provide the benefit of the scheme to the maximum number of artisans/weavers special camps have been set up upto 12th December, 2009 at the following places in U.P. wherein the interested U.P. Based members can avail the benefit of the scheme by getting enrollment of their  weavers/artisans, if not already enrolled:

1. Regional Office, CEPC at Maryatpatti, Bhadohi.
2. Opp. Tehsil Office, Gyanpur, Distt. Bhadohi.
3. Tehsil Campus, Aurai, Distt. Bhadohi.
4. Opp. Bharat Patrolium, Shivala Mahant, Mirzapur.

For further details Members may contact Shri V.K. Sinha, Assistant Director, Regional Office, CEPC, Tel. : 05414 - 225975,  Mobile: 09935570860.

Yours faithfully,

N.K. GUIN
Acting Executive Director-Cum-Secretary

Note: From Circular No. CEPC/SEC/WELFARE-CL/ dated : 02.12.2009 to all Members of the Council