Lidkar Marketing Assistance Scheme — ₹50,000 to ₹1L for SC Artisans

The Marketing Assistance Scheme is a Government of Karnataka programme implemented by Karnataka State Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd, known as Lidkar. Its logic is simple: instead of leaving Scheduled Caste leather artisans to bargain with private dealers, Lidkar steps in as a direct buyer of what they make.

Support does not arrive as a cheque. Lidkar procures finished leather products from each artisan up to a value of ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000, and because the money is paid for goods, it is non-repayable — effectively a grant routed through purchase. Those products then reach customers through the Lidkar Leather Emporia network under the Lidkar brand, a retail and display platform no individual craftsperson could set up alone.

For the artisan, the value lies in repetition. Buying happens roughly once every one to two months, driven by what the Emporia showrooms need, so income is steadier than a single sale. The scheme adds branding and marketing visibility, and it works as a light incubation: regular demand signals teach artisans which products sell and how to shape their range.

There is also a preservation goal. By keeping traditional leather craft economically viable within SC communities, the programme protects both livelihoods and a craft heritage that would otherwise fade.

Applications are filed online through Karnataka's Seva Sindhu portal, and there is no fixed closing date — the scheme operates on a rolling, always-open basis.

• Procurement worth ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 per artisan, paid as a product purchase and never repaid
• Implemented by Karnataka State Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd (Lidkar)
• Goods are sold under the Lidkar brand through the Lidkar Leather Emporia network
• Buying happens roughly once every 1–2 months, based on Emporia showroom demand
• Reserved for listed SC sub-castes, with family income capped at ₹30,000 (rural) or ₹25,000 (urban)
• Rolling applications through the Seva Sindhu portal — no fixed deadline

This scheme is reserved for practising leather artisans from Karnataka's Scheduled Caste communities. You must be 18 years or older and belong to one of the listed SC sub-castes.

• Recognised sub-castes: Arundathiyar, Chammadiya, Chamar, Chambar, Chamagar, Madar, Madig, Madiga, Mini Madig, Jambavalu, Haralayya, Machigar, Mochigar, Mochi, Muchi, Telugu Mochi, Kamaati Mocha, Rohidas, Dhor, Kakkayya, Kankayya, Samagara, Samagar, Aadhi Anddra, Aadhi Dravida and Aadhi Karnataka.
• Income ceiling: annual family income must not exceed ₹30,000 in rural areas or ₹25,000 in urban areas.
• No prior government benefit: neither you nor your family members should have received benefits under another government scheme. Training programmes are the only exception to this bar.
• No government employment: no family member should be working in a government or semi-government organisation.

Your craft must be leather work, and the application is assessed against these family-level conditions, not just your own details.

Lidkar Marketing Assistance Scheme — ₹50,000 to ₹1L for SC Artisans is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

Lidkar Marketing Assistance Scheme — ₹50,000 to ₹1L for SC Artisans accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

The core benefit is a ready buyer. Lidkar procures leather products from each eligible artisan up to a value of ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000. Because this is a purchase and not a loan, the amount is non-repayable — the artisan keeps the payment and parts only with the goods.

• Regular procurement: goods are bought typically once every 1–2 months, timed to demand at the Lidkar Leather Emporia and its showrooms. This creates a repeating income stream rather than a one-off order.
• Market access and branding: products are retailed under the trusted Lidkar brand through the Lidkar Leather Emporia network, giving artisans display space, credibility and reach they could not generate individually.
• Marketing support: the Emporia handles the selling side, so the artisan is not chasing buyers, dealing with dealers or funding distribution.
• Incubation-style guidance: consistent demand signals help artisans refine their product range and understand what the market actually wants.

Taken together, the scheme removes the biggest constraint on a micro-artisan — finding a fair, dependable market — while preserving the artisan's independence.

Lidkar Marketing Assistance Scheme — ₹50,000 to ₹1L for SC Artisans is offered by Karnataka State Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR), a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India.

Before you apply to Lidkar Marketing Assistance Scheme — ₹50,000 to ₹1L for SC Artisans, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

Lidkar Marketing Assistance Scheme — ₹50,000 to ₹1L for SC Artisans is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹50,000 – ₹1L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.