Dhubri, April 16: The North East Craft and Rural Development Organisation, an NGO working for the development of rural crafts in Assam, has alleged that despite the approval of the Artisans? Welfare Fund Act in 1999, Dispur was yet to implement it.
The director of the organisation, Binoy Bhattacharjee, alleged that the existent Assam Handicraft Artisans? Welfare Fund Act 1998, Assam Handicrafts Welfare Fund Scheme and Assam Handicraft Artisans? Welfare Fund Board, were practically ineffective. ?The dream of millions of artisans to get pension, relief, welfare and support through the scheme has remained unfulfilled despite the enactment of a law to protect their interests,? Bhattacharjee said.
?As a non-government organisation, we have been working for long to help preserve and promote traditional crafts and the welfare of artisans, especially for the Asharikandi style of terracotta, indigenous to Dhubri district. In the state, till date, there is no comprehensive state policy for the economic development of the artisans. Facts show that the artisans are the second largest contributors to the economy of the state. But strangely, there is no welfare scheme for them,? Bhattacharjee said.
Sources said the Assam Handicraft Artisans? Welfare Fund Act 1998 (Assam Act No. VII/1999) received the assent of the governor on January 18, 1999 and the same was notified by the government of Assam vide notification no LGL. 68/98/20, the Assam Gazette of January 21, 1999.
The act provides for the setting up of a fund pool to pay grant relief and pension to the handicraft artisans of the state.
Twenty-five handicraft products are covered by the act. These include items made from cane, bamboo, paper, carved wood and even grass.
Brass, gold and silverware, terracotta, earthenware, textiles, carpets, toys, jute items, stone carvings, bhawna dresses (costumes used in plays), embroidered items and masks are some of the other crafts under the purview of the act.