New Delhi, Jan 12 (KNN) The apex body of the gems and jewellery industry, Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has introduced identity card for artisans in West Bengal, which will be rolled out nationally later this month.

For national classification of gem and jewellery sector workers/ craftsmen under LMIS (Labour Management Information Systems), GJEPC is holding advanced talks with the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship (MoSDE).

This segment-wise classification of workers, craftsmen and artisans will provide additional benefits under relevant MoSDE schemes.

The card would benefit the entire gem and jewellery industry and ensure proper authentication for social security purposes.

The apex body launched a welfare scheme to provide social security and health insurance coverage for jewelry craftsmen, named as Swasthya Ratna.

Under the initiative a craftsman may avail Rs 1-lakh health insurance coverage for himself/herself and family by paying only 25% of the premium.

The remaining 75% will be paid from Swasthya Kosh, a special fund that GJEPC has created.

According to the statement made by GJEPC, the objective of this project was to create a verified and well-crafted database for gem and jewellery workers to provide them better job opportunities, help find financial support from banks and financial institutions and provide better healthcare services through specially designed smart card.

Chairman of GJEPC, Pramod Kumar Agrawal said, "The USD 40 billion gem and jewellery industry was heavily dependent on the artisans and craftsmen of India."

Today, India has become a global pioneer in the business of diamond processing, only because of this extremely talented and skilled workforce, he added.