The Unorganized Workers Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme, officially known as the Asangathit Karmakaar Silai Machine Sahayata Yojana, is a significant welfare initiative launched by the Government of Chhattisgarh to empower women working in the unorganized sector. The scheme aims to enhance the livelihood of women by providing them with free sewing machines, enabling them to start or expand their small-scale tailoring, embroidery, or weaving businesses.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to improving the socio-economic conditions of unorganized women workers by promoting self-employment, entrepreneurship, and skill-based income generation. By distributing sewing machines annually to registered female workers, the scheme encourages financial independence, boosts local cottage industries, and contributes to the overall empowerment of women across the state.
Dates of Implementation
- Scheme Name: Unorganized Workers Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme (Asangathit Karmakaar Silai Machine Sahayata Yojana)
- Implemented By: Department of Labour, Government of Chhattisgarh
- Target Beneficiaries: Registered unorganized women workers in the state
- Implementation Mode: Online application through the Chhattisgarh Labour Department portal
- Frequency: The benefit is provided once a year to eligible beneficiaries
Objectives of the Scheme
The primary objectives of the Unorganized Workers Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme are as follows:
- To promote self-employment among unorganized women workers by providing them with free sewing machines.
- To support income generation and livelihood improvement for women who sew, embroider, or weave garments.
- To encourage entrepreneurship and financial independence among women in rural and urban areas.
- To enhance skill utilization by supporting women who are already engaged in tailoring-related work.
- To improve the economic and social status of women workers and their families in Chhattisgarh.
- To reduce dependency on external employment and create opportunities for home-based or local employment.
Key Features of the Scheme
The Asangathit Karmakaar Silai Machine Sahayata Yojana comes with several key features that make it highly beneficial for unorganized women workers in Chhattisgarh:
- The scheme provides free sewing machines every year to eligible and registered unorganized women workers.
- It aims to empower women financially by helping them start or strengthen their tailoring and embroidery work.
- The scheme is implemented through the Labour Department of Chhattisgarh, ensuring that benefits reach genuine workers registered with the state’s unorganized workers’ board.
- The entire application process is online, which ensures transparency, accessibility, and time efficiency.
- The benefit is given only to those women who have not previously received a sewing machine or equivalent amount under any other state government scheme.
- It promotes inclusive growth by targeting women from low-income and labor-intensive occupations such as construction and small-scale textile work.
- Beneficiaries are encouraged to become self-reliant entrepreneurs, contributing to local community development and sustainable income generation.
Financial Assistance (Scheme Benefit)
Under this scheme, the Government of Chhattisgarh provides one free sewing machine to every eligible and registered unorganized woman worker.
In some cases, if physical distribution is not possible, the beneficiary may receive financial assistance equivalent to the cost of one sewing machine, credited directly to her bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.
This assistance helps women start tailoring, embroidery, or related activities at home, ensuring a steady source of income and economic stability for their families.
Eligibility Criteria
To benefit from the Unorganized Workers Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme, applicants must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:
- Gender: The applicant must be a woman.
- Occupation: The woman must be working in the unorganized sector, particularly in tailoring, embroidery, or weaving.
- Age Limit: The applicant should be between 18 and 50 years of age.
- Registration: The woman must be registered with the Labour Board or Labour Department of Chhattisgarh.
- Work Type: The applicant may be self-employed or employed by another person in tailoring-related activities.
- Residency: The applicant must be a permanent resident of Chhattisgarh.
- Non-duplication Condition:
- The woman should not have received a sewing machine or the equivalent monetary benefit under any other state-run scheme.
- The woman should not have received benefits under the Chief Minister Cycle Assistance Scheme implemented by the Labour Department.
These conditions ensure that the benefit reaches the most deserving and genuine workers in the unorganized sector.
Reservation Policy
The Unorganized Workers Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme is an inclusive welfare scheme that applies uniformly to all eligible women across Chhattisgarh, regardless of caste, religion, or community. However, priority is given to women belonging to economically weaker sections, scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), and other backward classes (OBC) registered with the Labour Department.
The scheme’s inclusive approach ensures that no deserving woman is left out due to social or economic barriers, aligning with the government’s broader mission of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Development for All).
Distribution of Benefits
The process of benefit distribution under the Asangathit Karmakaar Silai Machine Sahayata Yojana is transparent and well-organized:
- The sewing machines are distributed every year to eligible beneficiaries who have successfully registered under the scheme.
- The distribution may be conducted through local Labour Department offices, District Labour Centres, or special distribution camps organized by the government.
- In areas where physical distribution is difficult, the financial value of the sewing machine is credited directly to the beneficiary’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Regular monitoring ensures that the scheme’s benefits are not duplicated and that only genuine, registered, and deserving beneficiaries receive assistance.
Application Process (Step-by-Step)
The application for the Unorganized Workers Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme can be completed online through the official Chhattisgarh Labour Department website. Below is the step-by-step process:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
- The applicant must visit the official Labour Department website of Chhattisgarh.
- On the homepage, select the option under “Unorganized Workers Board” to proceed.
Step 2: Click on ‘Apply Now’
- Under the Unorganized Workers Board section, click on “Apply Now” for the Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme.
Step 3: Provide Basic Details
- The applicant must enter personal and registration details such as:
- District Name
- Name of Beneficiary
- Father’s/Husband’s Name
- Pre-registration Number (if any)
- New Registration Number
Then click on “Check Details” to verify the registration status.
Step 4: Select the Scheme
- Once verified, choose the scheme name — Unorganized Workers Sewing Machine Assistance Scheme — from the dropdown menu.
Step 5: Fill Out the Application Form
- Enter all necessary details in the online form accurately, including contact information and bank details.
Step 6: Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of the following documents:
- Labour Registration Card
- Age Proof (Birth Certificate, Aadhaar, or School Certificate)
- Bank Passbook (Photocopy showing account details)
- Income Certificate
Step 7: Submit the Application
- After filling and uploading all required documents, click on the “Submit” button to complete the process.
Step 8: Note the Application Number
- Once the application is successfully submitted, an application number is generated. The applicant should note it down for future reference.
Checking Application Status
Applicants can easily track the status of their application online.
Step 1: Visit the official Chhattisgarh Labour Department website.
Step 2: Under the Unorganized Workers Board section, click on “Check Application Status.”
Step 3: Select the name of the scheme.
Step 4: Enter the application number.
Step 5: Click on “Search” to view the current status of the application.
The applicant can see whether the application is pending, approved, or rejected, and if approved, when the distribution or payment will be made.
Documents Required
Applicants must upload or submit the following documents to apply for the scheme:
- Labour Registration Card issued by the Chhattisgarh Labour Department
- Age Proof (Aadhaar Card, Birth Certificate, or School Certificate)
- Bank Passbook Photocopy showing account details and IFSC code
- Income Certificate issued by a competent authority
- Address Proof (Aadhaar Card, Ration Card, or Voter ID)
- Passport Size Photograph
These documents help verify the applicant’s eligibility and ensure accurate processing of applications.
