The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Smriti Irani with bank officials where she requested them to reach out to artisans and weavers. Banks will deploy micro ATMs at handloom-handicrafts clusters so that weavers and artisans are not inconvenienced and can withdraw cash to buy raw materials through the Aadhar-enabled payment system. The micro ATMs will be mobilised by local bank officers in consultation with officials of weavers service and marketing service extension centres, which will sensitise weavers and artisans about their location through SMS. Following this, weavers and artisans will be able to withdraw cash from the micro ATMs. Officials of weavers service centres and marketing service extension centres will assist banks in identifying handloom/handicrafts workers through ID cards issued to weavers and artisans.

Source: dna November 21, 2016 15:08 UTC