The Assam Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Act, 1998

{
    "id": 14016,
    "slug": "the-assam-handicraft-artisans-welfare-fund-act-1998-1998",
    "title": "The Assam Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Act, 1998",
    "short_title": "The Assam Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Act, 1998",
    "act_number": "Assam Act No. 7 of 1999",
    "act_year": 1998,
    "act_type": "STATE",
    "location": "Assam",
    "law_status": "unknown",
    "enactment_date": null,
    "description": "The Assam Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Act, 1998",
    "preamble": "",
    "section_label": "Section",
    "sections": [
        {
            "number": "1",
            "title": "1. Short title, extent and commencement.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 0
        },
        {
            "number": "2",
            "title": "2. Definitions.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) \"Board\" means the Assam Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Board constituted under Section 6 ;\n(b) \"Chief Executive Officer\" means the Chief Executive Officer appointed under sub-section (1) of section 9 ;\n(c) \"Handicraft products\" means,-\n(i) cane products,\n(ii) bamboo artistic products,\n(iii) wood curving/Decorative Furniture,\n(vi) drift crafts (Craft made of the Tree rods and branches),\n(v) brass Metal,\n(vi) gold smith/Silver smith,\n(vii) terracotta/Earthen ware,\n(viii) pith craft,\n(ix) decorative Textile (Loem loom/shuttle loom),\n(x) doll and toy making,\n(xi) jute crafts,\n(xii) stone curving,\n(xiii) sital pati,\n(xiv) paper crafts,\n(xv) bhawna dress (dress used for Theatre),\n(xvi) bead crafts,\n(xvii paper machine\n(xviii) embroidery,\n(xix) mask making,\n(xx) mirijum,\n(xxi) carpet making,\n(xxii) laisenghee,\n(xxiii) grass/leaf work,\n(xxiv) decorate item made of plaster of paris/cements,\n(xxv) decorative item made of any other media;\n(d) \"Handicraft Artisans means any person who has engaged himself for production of Handicrafts items or any person who is employed for wages to produce the Handicraft products and includes any person employed by any non-Government organisation, co-operative society or through other agent and depends mainly on Handicraft Industries for his livelihood and whom the Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, from time to time declare to be Handicraft Artisan for the purposes of this Act.\n(e) \"Government\" means Government of Assam;\n(f) \"Director of Industries\" means Director of Industries for the State of Assam;\n(g) \"Contribution\" means the sum of money payable to the Fund under section 4;\n(h) \"dealer\" means any person who is engaged in the business of purchase, sale or storage for sale of any Handicraft products, but does not include a Handicraft Artisan who sells or stores for sale, the Handicrafts by himself;\n(i) 'family\" means the husband, wife and their children;\n(j) \"Fund\" means the Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund, established under section 3 ;\n(k) \"Artisans\" means a person who engaged himself to any of the Handicraft products;\n(l) \"member\" means a member of the Fund;\n(m) \"person\" includes a company, a firm, an association of individual, Non-Governmental Organisations or a Co-operative Society, registered or deemed to be registered under the Assam Co-operative Societies Act, 1949;\n(n) \"employer\" means any person who directly employes whether on behalf of himself or for any other person one or more Handicrafts Artisans to produce any Handicraft product;\n(o) \"prescribed\" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;\n(p) \"Producer of Handicraft Products\" means a person who carries on the business of producing Handicraft products for export or for internal marketing;\n(q) \"Schedule\" means the schedule to this Act;\n(r) \"Scheme\" means a scheme framed under this Act;\n(s) \"Year\" means the financial year;\n(t) \"board\" means the Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Board constituted under section 6.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": true,
            "sort_order": 1
        },
        {
            "number": "3",
            "title": "3. Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Scheme.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) the contribution specified in section 4;\n(b) the amount borrowed by the Board under section 10;\n(c) damage realised under section 19;\n(d) grants or loan or advances made by the Government of India or the State Government or any other institutions;\n(e) any donations from any other sources;\n(f) any amount raised by the Board from other sources to augment the resources of the Board;\n(g) fee levied under the scheme;\n(h) any other amount which, under the provisions of the Scheme shall be credited to the Fund;\n(a) For payment of pension-\n(i) to a member who is unable to work due to old age or infirmity or who has completed the age of sixty years;\n(ii) to a person who before the commencement of this Act was a Handicraft Artisan and completed the age of sixty years or who suffers from permanent disablement and is out of employment;\n(b) for payment of family pension to the spouse of the deceased member;\n(c) for payment of financial assistance to member who suffers from permanent or temporary disablement;\n(d) for payment of loans or grants to a member to meet the day to day expenses during off seasons or to meet expenses for the marriage of children or for expenses in connection with disease or death of dependents or for expenses in connection with the education of children or for expenses for construction or maintenance of houses;\n(e) to provide maternity benefit to women Artisans engaged in Handicraft Industry who are not eligible for such benefits under any other law for the time being in force;\n(f) to provide for distress relief to the family of any member affected by natural calamities and epidemics;\n(g) to provide for the Handicraft Artisans and their family members-\n(i) medical facilities;\n(ii) nurseries and creches;\n(iii) education, vocational training and facilities for part time employment;\n(iv) or any other facilities specified in the Scheme.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 2
        },
        {
            "number": "4",
            "title": "4. Contribution to the Fund.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 3
        },
        {
            "number": "5",
            "title": "5. Modification of the Scheme.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 4
        },
        {
            "number": "6",
            "title": "6. Constitution of the Board.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(b) Four persons representing Co-Operative Society and Non-governmental Organisation.\n(c) Four official appointed by the Government shall be Officer not below the rank of Joint Director, or equivalent representing, Industries Department, Finance Department, Labour Department, Government undertaking Corporation dealing with Handicrafts and Handloom Department.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 5
        },
        {
            "number": "7",
            "title": "7. Terms of Office of Directors.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 6
        },
        {
            "number": "8",
            "title": "8. Removal of non-official Directors.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) if he has, without the permission of the Board, been absent from the meeting of the Board for three consecutive meetings:\n(b) if he, the in opinion of the Government is unsuitable or has become incapable of acting as a Director or has so abused his position as a Director detrimental to the interest:",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 7
        },
        {
            "number": "9",
            "title": "9. Appointment of officer and staff.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) fifty percent shall be reserved for appointment from candidates belonging to the families of Handicraft Artisan and\n(b) fifty percent shall be filled in accordance with the procedure laid down in the rules as may be prescribed.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 8
        },
        {
            "number": "10",
            "title": "10. Power of the Board to borrow.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 9
        },
        {
            "number": "11",
            "title": "11. Determination of amount due.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;\n(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;\n(c) receiving evidence on affidavit;\n(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 10
        },
        {
            "number": "12",
            "title": "12. Provisional assessment and collection of contribution.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 11
        },
        {
            "number": "13",
            "title": "13. Mode of recovery.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 12
        },
        {
            "number": "14",
            "title": "14. Priority of payment of contribution over other debts.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 13
        },
        {
            "number": "15",
            "title": "15. Employer not to reduce wages etc.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 14
        },
        {
            "number": "16",
            "title": "16. Director of the Board etc. to be public servants.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 15
        },
        {
            "number": "17",
            "title": "17. Penalty.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 16
        },
        {
            "number": "18",
            "title": "18. Offences by companies.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) \"Company\" means any body corporate and includes a firm, Co-operative Society or other Association of Individuals, Non-Governmental of Organisations.\n(b) \"Officer of the Company\" means Managing Director, Director, Managing Agent, Secretary, Treasurer or Manager of the Company and includes the office bearers of a firm or Co-operative Society or other association of individuals and Non-Governmental Organisation.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 17
        },
        {
            "number": "19",
            "title": "19. Power to recover damages.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 18
        },
        {
            "number": "20",
            "title": "20. Protection for acts done in good faith.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 19
        },
        {
            "number": "21",
            "title": "21. Direction by the Government.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 20
        },
        {
            "number": "22",
            "title": "22. Power to order enquiry.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 21
        },
        {
            "number": "23",
            "title": "23. Power to supersede do the Board.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "(a) all the Directors of the Board shall, as from the date of such publication, vacate their offices as such Directors ;\n(b) all powers and duties, which may be exercised or performed by the Board shall, during the period of supersession be exercised or performed by such officer or officers as maybe specified in the notification.\n(c) all funds and other properties vested in the Government.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 22
        },
        {
            "number": "24",
            "title": "24. Audit of Accounts of the Board and remuneration of Auditors.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 23
        },
        {
            "number": "25",
            "title": "25. Annual Report, Audited Statement of Accounts.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 24
        },
        {
            "number": "26",
            "title": "26. Bar of Jurisdiction of Civil Court.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 25
        },
        {
            "number": "27",
            "title": "27. Special provision for transfer of accumulation from welfare funds established by any Acts or Agreement.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 26
        },
        {
            "number": "28",
            "title": "28. Removal of difficulties.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 27
        },
        {
            "number": "29",
            "title": "29. Power to make rules.",
            "chapter": null,
            "content": "Schedule (11)\n[ See Section 3 (1)]\nMatters For Which Provisions May Be Made in the Scheme\nMatters For Which Provisions May Be Made in the Scheme\n(1) Registration of Handicraft Artisans, employers, producers of Handicraft products and dealers.\n(2) The time and manner in which contribution shall be made to the Fund by Handicraft Artisans, employer, producers of Handicraft products and dealers and by or on behalf of Handicraft Artisans, the contributions which a Handicraft Artisan may make under section 4 and the manner in which such contribution may be recovered ;\n(3) The manner in which the Handicraft Artisans, contributions may be recovered by the employers ;\n(4) The constitution of any committee for assisting the Board ;\n(5) The manner in which accounts shall be kept, the investment of money belonging to the Fund in accordance with any directions issued or conditions specified by the Government, the preparation of the budget, the audit of accounts and the submission of reports to the Government;\n(6) The form in which a Handicraft Artisan shall furnish particulars about himself and his family whenever required ;\n(7) The nomination of a person to receive family pension of a member on his death and the cancellation or variation of such nomination ;\n(8) The Registers required to be maintained with respect to Handicraft Artisans and the returns to be furnished by the employer ;\n(9) The form or design of any identity card, taken or formulated for the purpose of identifying any member of the Fund and for issue, custody and replacement thereof;\n(10) The fees to be levied for any of the purposes specified in the Schedule ;\n(11) Further powers, if any, which may be exercised by the officers appointed under the Act;\n(12) The manner in which the sums transferred under section 27 to be brought and credited to the Fund ;\n(13) The purposes for which the Fund may be utilised for the welfare of Handicraft Artisans, or their dependents ;\n(14) The procedure for defraying the expenditure incurred in the administration of the Fund ;\n(15) The procedure for paying pension, family pension;\n(16) Any other matter which is to be provided for in the Scheme or which may be necessary or proper for the purpose of implementing the Scheme.",
            "footnote": "",
            "is_definition": false,
            "sort_order": 28
        }
    ],
    "metadata": {
        "Act ID": "Last Updated 12th February, 2020 [ass287]",
        "Act Number": "Assam Act No. 7 of 1999",
        "Enactment Date": "",
        "Act Year": "1998",
        "Short Title": "The Assam Handicraft Artisans Welfare Fund Act, 1998",
        "Type": "STATE",
        "Location": "Assam"
    },
    "updated_at": "2026-09-29 21:55:18"
}