Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans

The Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans is run by the Gujarat Matikam Kalakari & Rural Technology Institute, which operates under the Industries and Mines Department, Government of Gujarat. It targets individual pottery artisans throughout the state, offering them access to modern, essential tools. The programme addresses the financial difficulties traditional artisans face when upgrading equipment, with the aim of boosting productivity, raising product quality, and securing the long-term economic viability of pottery as a craft.

Rather than providing cash directly, the scheme supplies instrumental support through a 75% subsidy on the cost of key pottery tools, including electric chalk and electric footmills. This design ensures that assistance is channelled directly into the artisan's work and business. By lowering the expense of acquiring tools, the Government of Gujarat encourages skill development and the uptake of technology within traditional rural industries. The initiative supports broader state objectives of rural advancement and cultural preservation through economic means, while acknowledging the contribution of individual artisans to the state's cultural and economic life.

**Online Application:** - **Step 1: New Individual Registration:** Go to the eKutir portal. On the right pane, select "For New Individual Registration, click Here." - **Step 2: Fill Registration Details:** Provide all required fields, including Full Name, Aadhaar Number, Gender, Date of Birth, Mobile Number, Email, and Password. Enter the Captcha Code and press "Register." - **Step 3: Confirm Details:** Check the information shown in the confirmation pop-up. Choose "Confirm" if accurate, or "Cancel" to amend. - **Step 4: Receive Credentials:** After registration is complete, your User ID and Password will be sent by SMS to your registered mobile number and email (if supplied). - **Step 5: Login and Update User 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 filling in all mandatory personal and organisational fields. - **Step 6: Select Scheme and Apply:** From the homepage, choose the "Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans." You will be taken to the online application form, which is organised into several tabs. - **Step 7: Fill Form & Upload Documents:** Complete all required fields and upload every necessary document in the prescribed format and size. Enter the relevant document numbers. Click "Save & Next" to move through the tabs. - **Step 8: Review and Submit:** Go over all the details and uploaded documents carefully. Accept and agree to 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 later use. You may also print a copy of the application.

**Offline Application:** - **Step 1: Obtain Application Form:** Download the prescribed application format from the eKutir portal, or collect it in person from the Gujarat Matikam Kalakari & Rural Technology Institute. - **Step 2: Prepare Documents:** Complete the form with all required information and assemble all necessary certificates and supporting papers. - **Step 3: Submit Beneficiary Contribution:** Arrange a demand draft for 25% of the tool's cost, drawn in favour of 'GMK & RTI' from an authorised bank. Hand this DD to the institute's office on the date announced by the organisation, keeping a copy of the receipt. - **Step 4: Mail Application:** Post the completed application form, along 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: Tool Collection:** 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 Gujarat Matikam Kalakari & Rural Technology Institute manages the selection process for the Tool Assistance Scheme for Pottery Artisans. Following submission of an application, whether online or offline, the Institute first checks that all mandatory fields are complete and that required documentation, such as proof of pottery involvement and age verification, has been furnished. Applicants must also deposit their 25% beneficiary contribution, usually through a demand draft, which acts as an initial filter.

A committee or designated officers from the Institute then evaluates the applications. Although the process does not explicitly include an interview or pitch, verification is thorough and may involve field visits or follow-ups to confirm the applicant’s direct engagement in pottery and the intended use of the tools. The scheme insists that the assistance be used exclusively for pottery work. After selection, officers conduct personal examinations to deter misuse of the tools, and provisions exist for recovery if the terms are breached.