Marketing Assistance Scheme

Marketing Assistance Scheme is a Karnataka state scheme that helps scheduled caste leather artisans sell their handmade products through Lidkar Leather Emporia under the Lidkar brand. Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd, a Government of Karnataka undertaking, runs this scheme so that artisans get a fair price for their goods and are not forced to depend on private dealers.

Applications for the 2026-27 financial year are accepted online through the Seva Sindhu portal of Karnataka. Skilled artisans are empaneled under the scheme, and their products are bought regularly, about once every one to two months, based on the demand from Lidkar showrooms.

The main aim of this scheme is to give leather artisans a steady market and a regular income. Products made by SC leather artisans are procured and sold through Lidkar Leather Emporia under the brand name Lidkar, which also gives the artisans public appreciation for their craftsmanship.

Marketing Assistance Scheme - Introduction

Marketing Assistance Scheme was launched by Karnataka government through Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd (Lidkar). It covers artisans belonging to traditional scheduled caste leather working communities such as Arundathiyar, Chamar, Madiga, Mochi, Samagara and related sub-castes. The scheme protects artisans from exploitation by private dealers and makes sure their products reach customers through a trusted government retail network.

Benefits

Artisans empaneled under this scheme get a regular buyer for their products. Lidkar keeps purchasing items based on demand from its showrooms, so artisans do not have to roam around looking for buyers or accept low prices from middlemen.

Under this scheme, procurement worth ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 is made from each artisan, usually once a month or once in two months. This gives a steady flow of cash and helps artisans plan their production. Products are sold under the Lidkar brand, which raises the value of the products and builds the name of the artisans.

Eligibility

To apply under this scheme, an artisan should meet the following conditions:

• Should be a leather artisan by profession, and the applicant or family should belong to scheduled caste communities linked with leather work such as Arundathiyar, Chammadiya, Chamar, Chamagar, Madar, Madiga, Mini Madig, Mochi, Samagara, Aadhi Andhra, Aadhi Dravida, Aadhi Karnataka and related sub-castes.
• Minimum age is 18 years, and the annual family income should not go above ₹30,000 in rural areas or ₹25,000 in urban areas.
• Applicant or family members should not be working in any government or semi-government job, and should not have taken benefit under other similar corporation schemes earlier, except training or Paduke Kuteera schemes.

Separate reservations apply under the scheme. About 33% of seats are kept for women artisans and 5% for physically challenged candidates as per the government orders. Only one craftsman from a family (husband, wife and unmarried children) is allowed to apply at a time.

Documents

Keep these documents ready in digital form before starting the application:

• Aadhaar Card and first page of the bank passbook for account details.
• Caste certificate with valid RD number, annual income certificate and ration card.
• Passport size photos of the applicant and spouse, and a profession or skill test certificate issued by the technical section committee of the corporation.
• Detailed project report of the products to be supplied, and E-Shram card in case of profession of cobbler or shoe maker.

Application Process

Registration and application are done online through the Seva Sindhu portal of Karnataka government. The whole process is managed on the Seva Sindhu Portal.

STEP 1 - Visit the Seva Sindhu portal at sevasindhu.karnataka.gov.in and click on the New Users Register Here option. Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha, then click Submit.

STEP 2 - Enter the OTP sent to your Aadhaar linked mobile number, allow DigiLocker access, and fill in your email ID, mobile number and password. Confirm the OTPs received on email and mobile to complete registration.

STEP 3 - Login to the portal and go to the Departments and Services section. Select Social Welfare Department, then click on Marketing Assistance Scheme and press Apply Online.

STEP 4 - Fill in your personal, address and bank details carefully, attach the required documents, and submit the application. Note down the Application ID for tracking the status later.

Selection Process

After the online application, the district coordinator verifies the applications and prepares a list of eligible applicants. This list goes to the concerned MLAs for recommendation. The final decision is taken by the district level selection committee headed by the Joint or Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department. Once administrative approval is given by the Managing Director of the corporation, the selected names are displayed on the notice boards of the district units.

References

For scheme details and rules, check the official page of Lidkar Self Employment Programs. For the latest news about this scheme, read the report published by Vijay Karnataka News. General list of Karnataka state schemes is available on the Karnataka Schemes List.

FAQ's

What is Marketing Assistance Scheme?

Marketing Assistance Scheme is a Karnataka state scheme run by Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd. It buys leather products from scheduled caste artisans and sells them through Lidkar Leather Emporia under the Lidkar brand.

Who can apply under this scheme?

Leather artisans above 18 years of age belonging to scheduled caste communities such as Chamar, Madiga, Mochi, Samagara and related sub-castes can apply. Family income should be up to ₹30,000 in rural areas and ₹25,000 in urban areas, and no family member should hold a government job.

How much benefit is given under this scheme?

Products worth ₹50,000 to ₹1,00,000 are procured from each artisan depending on showroom demand, usually once every one to two months.

How to apply for Marketing Assistance Scheme?

Apply online through the Seva Sindhu portal of Karnataka. Register with Aadhaar and OTP, then go to Departments and Services, choose Social Welfare Department, open Marketing Assistance Scheme and click Apply Online.

Is this scheme still running in 2026?

Yes. The scheme is part of the ongoing Lidkar self employment programs of Karnataka government, and applications are received online through the Seva Sindhu portal.