Asangathit Karmakaar Silai Machine Sahayata Yojana — Free Sewing Machines — Frequently Asked Questions

It provides a sewing machine free of cost to eligible women. The benefit is given in kind rather than as money, and it is aimed at women who stitch, embroider or weave clothes and need the equipment to carry on their work. Nothing has to be returned and no share is taken in the beneficiary's earnings.

The scheme is for unorganised women workers in Chhattisgarh. An applicant must be registered with the state labour board or department, must be between 18 and 50 years old, and must be earning a living — either by working for an employer or by running her own work — in tailoring, embroidery or weaving. She must be based in any district of Chhattisgarh, and she must not have received a sewing machine, or money of equal value, under any other state government scheme.

Yes, registration with the Chhattisgarh labour board or department is central to eligibility, and the labour registration card is one of the documents you upload with the form. The age band is 18 to 50 years.

Yes. Women engaged in construction work who are registered with the state labour board or department are eligible, along with those who work in sewing, embroidering or weaving clothes.

No. The scheme runs on a rolling basis and the application window is always open, so you can apply at any point in the year instead of rushing to meet a closing date.

No equity is taken and no repayment is required. This is a grant-type benefit delivered as a sewing machine given at no cost, not a loan or an investment, so the beneficiary keeps full ownership of her work and her earnings.

No. This is a labour welfare scheme for unorganised workers rather than a startup funding programme, so DPIIT recognition and MSME or Udyam registration do not form part of its requirements. The registration that matters is your registration as an unorganised worker with the Chhattisgarh labour board or department.

No. Applicants who have already received a sewing machine, or financial assistance equal to its value, under any other state government scheme are not eligible. Beneficiaries of the Chief Minister Cycle Assistance Scheme run by the labour board are excluded as well, so it is worth checking what benefits you have taken before you apply.

You need scanned copies of your labour registration card, an age certificate, a photocopy of your bank passbook and your income certificate. The scheme details do not specify an income ceiling, but the income certificate is a mandatory upload, so you will need one to complete the application. Keep the scans clear and within the size limits the portal accepts.

Applications are made online through the official Chhattisgarh labour portal at cglabour.nic.in. Use the 'Apply Now' option under the Unorganized Worker Board section, enter your district, name, father's or husband's name and both your pre-registration and new registration numbers, and check that the details are correct. Then pick the Asangathit Karmakaar Silai Machine Sahayata Yojana from the list of schemes, fill in the full form, upload your documents and submit. An application number is generated on submission — note it down, because the portal's 'Check the application status' option uses that number to show you where your application stands.

Asangathit Karmakaar Silai Machine Sahayata Yojana — Free Sewing Machines is offered by Labour Department, Government of Chhattisgarh, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.