New Delhi: In a historic moment for India’s traditional artisans and craftsmen, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana (PM Vishwakarma Yojana) today. This visionary initiative, launched with the blessings of Lord Vishwakarma, aims to provide comprehensive support to the skilled hands that uphold India’s rich legacy of craftsmanship and traditional practices.
The Indian economy encompasses numerous artisans and craftsmen who employ their skilled hands and traditional tools, specializing in various occupations, including blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, carpentry, sculpture, and more. These skills or occupations are passed from generation-to-generation, both within the families and other informal groups of artisans and craftspeople. These traditional artisans and craftspeople are denoted to as ‘Vishwakarmas’. They are usually self-employed and are largely considered to be a part of the unorganised sector of the economy.
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana focuses on uplifting 18 different artisan trades, ranging from carpentry, wooden toy crafting, and blacksmithing to goldsmithing, pottery, sculpture, tailoring, and more. With a substantial allocation of 13,000 crore rupees, the government is committed to bolstering the livelihoods of millions of artisans across the nation.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of training, technology, and tools for the Vishwakarma community. Under this scheme, skilled individuals will receive daily allowances of 500 rupees during training and 15,000 rupees for modern toolkits. The government will also extend support in branding, packaging, and marketing, while ensuring that tools are “Made in India.” Collateral-free loans of up to 3 lakh rupees will be available to support business expansion, with special provisions for first-time tool purchases.
Prime Minister Modi urged the Vishwakarma community to unite and work towards the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing their role in the “Make in India” initiative. He congratulated all Vishwakarma companions for their forward-looking initiative.
To spread awareness, events were organized at approximately 70 locations across the country. Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, highlighted the scheme’s benefits for traditional artisans and craftsmen, especially those in the fisheries sector. Shri Rupala commended this historic milestone, the first time such a substantial financial allocation has been made for the upliftment of artisans and craftspeople in India, covering 18 traditional trades. The credit support, with a concession interest rate of 5%, will empower these individuals financially, fostering their growth and success.
PM Vishwakarma Yojana is set to provide much-needed support to the traditional artisans and craftsmen, enriching India’s cultural heritage and contributing to economic development. Credit Support up to Rs 1 lakh (first trenche) and Rs 2 lakh (second trenche), with concession interest rate of 5%, will empower traditional artisans and craftspeople financially. He also interacted with traditional artisans & craftsmen.
This scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet of India on August 16, 2023, as a holistic initiative to support traditional artisans and craftsmen across the nation. It encompasses provisions for training, technology, credit, and market support, with a specific focus on artisans in the fisheries sector. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying is committed to reaching potential stakeholders and ensuring the efficient implementation of the scheme.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, also lauded the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme as a harmonious blend of India’s civilizational ethos and traditional craftsmanship. He underscored its role in sustaining India’s age-old Guru-Shishya Parampara and bringing traditional artisans and craftsmen into the mainstream. He highlighted the pivotal role played by traditional artisans and craftsmen in preserving India’s centuries-old traditions and crafts and applauded Prime Minister Modi’s historic move to recognize and support their invaluable contributions to Indian society.
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Read highlights and salient features of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana
