Indian gold karigars now given status of handicraft artisans

Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) in the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India has issued a notification wherein the Indian gold karigars have been given the recognition of Handicraft Artisans, reports say.

According to the official memorandum of the government, jewellery is listed amongst the 32 trades in the Handicrafts category. Further it adds that “all activities relating to manufacturing of gold jewellery” will be recognised as “activities of handicraft artisans” and the same would be applicable to all who fulfill the definition of handicrafts as given by the Supreme Court.

Also, the memorandum mentions that all the benefits of schemes of the Office of DC (Handicrafts) would be provided to the artisans of goldsmiths, apart from ‘any type of benefit which involves the raw material i.e. gold’. As such, the eligible artisans can apply for official identity cards and gain benefits, including health insurance, support for children’s education, credit and interest schemes amongst others, reports add.