Loan scheme to be extended to Chitral

PESHAWAR, Dec13: The KPK government here said the interest-free loan scheme for artisans will be extended to eight more districts, including Chitral, by allocatingteh allocation to Rs300 million for the year 2012-13. The provincial information and culture minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain while inaugurating the second phase of the “Riwayati Hunarmand Rozgaar Scheme” said the scheme which was approved in May 2011 has benefited around 300 artisans so far. In the second phase, more districts have been included along with the Peshawar division. The minister informed that for year 2011-12 the government approved Rs150 million and around Rs.50 million has already been granted as loan. “For the second phase or 2012-13, we have increased the amount to Rs.300 million and extended the scheme to other districts”, said the minister. Those artisans between the age of 18-60 and five-year experience could apply till February 28, 2013. The arts and crafts in the eligibility criteria include wood carving, metal-work, wax-painting, stone-carving, copper work or Misgaraan, making shawls or traditional sharai on Khaddi, Khaddar-weaving (traditional hand-made cotton cloth), Handicrafts, Embroidery, Calligraphy, Hand-made traditional Charsadda Chappal (shoes), Sole-making of the shoes, Hair-dresser/beautician, pottery, making musical instruments,, Tailoring, Mezaray-work or straw-work, Chitrali Patti, traditional foods, Ring-making and traditional Degi or cook as professions or crafts are included in the list of this scheme.]]>