Handicrafts Dept asks artisans to avail benefit of educational scholarship for their kin

SRINAGAR: Department of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, has called upon all registered artisans and weavers to take advantage of the Educational Assistance Scheme for their kin, which has been introduced by Jammu & Kashmir Government in 2022.

This initiative is aimed at supporting educational aspirations of children from families of registered artisans and weavers across the region. The scheme offers financial assistance to students from Class 1 up to Post Graduation in technical and professional courses and is open to families with an annual income up to Rs 90,000.

Explaining the key features, a spokesperson of the Handicrafts and Handloom Department said, that the level of financial support is determined by the student’s course or class and all assistance shall be transferred directly to beneficiaries in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode, to ensure transparency and timely disbursal. “Applications can be submitted through the Department’s district offices,” he added.

Laying stress upon its broader impact, the spokesman stated apart from financial aid, the scheme is an investment in the future of artisan families. “Education is the bridge that connects our rich heritage with a promising future,” he said, adding that empowering the younger generation through education shall foster a self-reliant and resilient artisan community capable of preserving traditional crafts while embracing modern knowledge and opportunities.

He further urged all eligible families to make use of this valuable opportunity and advised them to approach the respective District Handicrafts and Handloom Offices or access the official departmental website, for detailed information and application guidelines.