 bill no 182 of  2016 the welfare of craftsmen and artisans bill, 2016 by dr udit raj, mp a billto provide for the protection and welfare of craftsmen and artisans in the country and for matters connected therewithbe it enacted by parliament in the sixty-seventh year of the republic of india as follows:—1 (1) this act may be called the welfare of craftsmen and artisans act, 2016short title, and commencement(2) it shall come into force on such date, as the central government may, by notificationin the official gazette, appointdefinitions52 in this act, unless the context otherwise requires:—(a) "board" means the welfare board constituted under section 3; (b) "craftsmen and artisans" means persons engaged in craft of weaving,kalamkari, banjara embroidery, wood work, brass and bell metal, shawls, wood carving, mat weaving, cane and bamboo textiles or leather work; and10(c) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this actconstitution of welfare board3 (1) the central government shall, by notification in the official gazette, constitute a board to be known as the welfare board for the welfare and protection of interests of craftsmen and artisans in the country5(2) the central government shall appoint a chairperson and such other members to the board from amongst the craftsmen and artisans in the country in such manner as may be prescribed(3) the salary and allowance payable to and other terms and conditions of service of chairperson and members of the board shall be such as may be prescribed4 the board shall —functions of the board10(a) provide protection, help and assistance to craftsmen and artisans fordevelopment of the art;(b) make efforts to organise the craftsmen and artisans engaged in differentpatterns of art under one forum;(c) provide loans and financial assistance on such terms and conditions as maybe prescribed; and15(d) make such other provisions as it may deem appropriate for better workingconditions and other necessities of life for artisans and craftsmen5 the provisions of this act shall have effect notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in forceoverriding effect to the act20power to make rules6 (1) the central government may, by notification in the official gazette, make rulesto carry out the provisions of this act25(2) every rule made under this act shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each house of parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both house agree in making any modification in the rule or both the houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule statement  of  objects  and  reasonsthere are nearly 4822 lakh artisans and craftsmen living in different parts of the country they are scattered in different states and their welfare is not being looked after properly by governments they do not have access to new technologies the handicrafts industry provides direct and indirect employment to nearly seventy-six lakh people in rural areas therefore, it is necessary that the government should promote and look after the welfare of craftsmen, weavers and artisans and make provisions for improvement in their living standardshence this billnew delhi;udit rajjuly 5, 2016 financial  memorandumclause 3 of the bill provides for the constitution of a welfare board for the welfare and protection of the interests of all craftsmen and artisans in the country it also provides for the appointment of the chairperson and members of the board clause 4 provides that board shall provide loans and financial assistance as may be necessary to the needy artisans and craftmen the bill, therefore, if enacted, will involve expenditure from the consolidated fund of india it is estimated that a sum of rupees five hundred crore will be involved as recurring expenditure per annuma non-recurring expenditure of about rupees one hundred crore is also likely to be involved memorandum  regarding  delegated  legislationclause 6 of the bill empowers to the central government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of bill as the rules will relate to matters of details only, the delegation of legislative power is of a normal character———— a billto provide for the protection and welfare of craftsmen and artisans in the country and for matters connected therewith————(dr udit raj, mp)gmgipmrnd—1480ls(s3)—22-07-2016