Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans

The Gujarat Matikam Kalakari & Rural Technology Institute, operating under the Industries and Mines Department, Government of Gujarat, administers the Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans. The programme targets individual pottery artisans throughout the state, offering them access to modern equipment. It addresses the financial difficulties artisans face when upgrading their tools, with the objective of raising productivity, improving product quality, and securing the long-term viability of the pottery trade.

Rather than providing cash, the scheme supplies instrumental aid through a 75% subsidy on the cost of essential equipment, including electric chalk and electric footmills. This structure ensures that support is applied directly to the artisan's work. By lowering the expense of acquiring tools, the state government encourages skill development and the integration of technology within traditional rural industries. The initiative supports broader state aims of rural advancement and cultural preservation through economic means, acknowledging the contribution of individual artisans to Gujarat's cultural and economic landscape.

**Online Application:** - **Step 1: Register as a New Individual:** Go to the eKutir portal. On the right pane, select "For New Individual Registration, click Here." - **Step 2: Complete Registration Details:** Fill in every required field, including Full Name, Aadhaar Number, Gender, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, Email, and Password. Type the Captcha Code and press "Register." - **Step 3: Verify Information:** Check the details shown in the confirmation pop-up. Choose "Confirm" if accurate, or "Cancel" to amend any errors. - **Step 4: Obtain Login Credentials:** After registration is complete, your User ID and Password are dispatched via SMS to your registered mobile number and email (if supplied). - **Step 5: Log In and Update Profile:** Return to the eKutir portal, input your User ID, Password, and Captcha Code, then click "Login." On your first login, finish your "User Profile" by entering all required personal and organisational details. - **Step 6: Choose the Scheme and Apply:** From the homepage, pick the "Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans." You will be taken to the online application form, which is organised into several tabs. - **Step 7: Complete Form and Upload Documents:** Fill in all mandatory fields and upload every required document in the prescribed format and size. Provide the corresponding document numbers. Click "Save & Next" to move through the tabs. - **Step 8: Review and Submit:** Scrutinise all entered information and uploaded files. Read and accept the terms and conditions. - **Step 9: Generate Application Number:** On the final tab, click "Save & Next" to create and note your unique application number for future use. You can also print a copy of the application.

**Offline Application:** - **Step 1: Get the Application Form:** Download the prescribed application format from the eKutir portal, or obtain it in person from the Gujarat Matikam Kalakari & Rural Technology Institute. - **Step 2: Prepare Documentation:** Complete the form with all required information and assemble all necessary certificates and supporting papers. - **Step 3: Pay Beneficiary Contribution:** Arrange a demand draft for 25% of the tool's cost, drawn in favour of 'GMK & RTI' from a recognised bank. Submit this DD at the institute's office on the date announced by the organisation, and keep a copy of the receipt. - **Step 4: Post the Application:** Send the filled application form, together with all supporting documents and a copy of the beneficiary contribution receipt, to the Gujarat Matikam Kalakari & Rural Technology Institute, Nr. GH-4, Sector 12, Gandhinagar - 382 016, Gujarat- India. - **Step 5: Verification:** Keep copies of certificates ready for inspection by the institution whenever requested. - **Step 6: Collect the Tool:** Once GRIMCO procures the tool and the institute receives it, you will be informed of the collection date and location. Arranging and paying for the tool's delivery is your responsibility.

The selection process for the Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans is conducted in stages, beginning with a review of applications submitted either online or offline. The Gujarat Matikam Kalakari & Rural Technology Institute checks each submission for completeness, confirming that all mandatory fields are filled and that required documents, such as the certificate of involvement in pottery work and age verification, are attached. Applicants must also deposit their 25% beneficiary contribution, usually through a demand draft, which acts as an initial filter.

Following this, a committee or designated officers from the Institute assess the applications. The evaluation does not explicitly include an interview or pitch, but involves detailed verification, which may extend to field visits or follow-ups to confirm the applicant's direct engagement in pottery and the intended use of the tools. The scheme ensures that the assistance is applied exclusively to pottery work. After selection, officers conduct personal examinations to deter misuse of the tools, and provisions exist for recovery if the terms are breached.