In this scheme of UP government, loan up to Rs 10 lakh, 25 percent subsidy is available, know the application process.

Uttar Pradesh has been identified not only by its cultural heritage but also by its centuries-old folk arts. One of these is clay art, which has provided employment to lakhs of families in villages and towns. Due to changing times and increasing use of modern products, this traditional business gradually weakened. Now the state government has taken a special initiative to revive this art.

Under the Chief Minister Mati Kala Rojgar Yojana, loans up to Rs 10 lakh are being provided to potters, craftsmen and artisans associated with clay art to expand their business. The objective of this scheme is to economically strengthen the traditional artisans and prepare them according to the needs of the modern market.

Loan up to Rs 10 lakh will be available

Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries will be given bank loans up to a maximum of Rs 10 lakh. The beneficiary will have to invest only 5 percent of the project cost himself, while the bank will provide 95 percent of the amount as loan. Apart from this, the government also provides margin money assistance of up to 25 percent, which reduces the financial burden on the artisans considerably.

This financial assistance can be used in the manufacturing of various soil related products and setting up production units.

For which products will the benefit be available?

Many types of commercial activities related to clay art have been included under the scheme. These include…

– Household products like kulhad, pitcher, jug, glass and bowl

– clay toys

– Decorative items like garden pots, vases and lamps

– Building materials like tiles, pipes and wash basins

The government believes that the demand for these products can be increased through modern design and better marketing.

Who can apply?

To avail the benefits of the scheme, the applicant must be a resident of Uttar Pradesh. The minimum age has been fixed at 18 years. For loans up to Rs 5 lakh, general literacy is sufficient, whereas for more than this amount, it is considered necessary to have 8th pass and training or experience in clay art.

The scheme has been specially designed for those artisans who have been associated with this traditional business for years and want to take it forward by giving it a modern form.

Modern training and equipment will also be available

The state government is not only providing loans but is also providing technical training and modern equipment to the artisans. Under various schemes of Mati Kala Board, arrangements have been made for electric chalk, modern toolkit and technical training, so that production capacity can be increased and the quality of products is improved. Along with this, efforts are also being made to provide markets to the products through marketing and exhibitions.

Rural economy will get support

Experts believe that this scheme can prove important not only for the potter community but also for the rural economy. The expansion of clay art industry will create new employment opportunities at the local level and traditional crafts will get a new identity.

Thousands of families in Uttar Pradesh are still involved in the manufacturing of clay products. In such a situation, this scheme is being considered a big step towards economic strength and self-reliance for them.

Confluence of tradition and modernity

Art related to clay is not only a means of employment but also an identity of Indian culture and rural life. This initiative of the government is an effort to take this traditional business to new heights by connecting it with modern technology and financial support. If the benefits of the scheme reach the right beneficiaries, then in the coming years, clay art once again becomes a strong medium of rural development and self-employment.