PM Narendra Modi to Launch ‘Vishwakarma’ Scheme Benefitting Artisans and Craftspeople Across India

Press Trust of Kashmir

In a significant move to support traditional artisans and craftspeople, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually launch the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme on September 17, 2023. This Central Sector Scheme will encompass approximately 40 locations, covering all States and Union Territories, including the picturesque region of Jammu and Kashmir.

While the Prime Minister himself will inaugurate the scheme from New Delhi, Union Ministers and Members of Parliament will gather at these 40 locations to physically commence the initiative. The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises will coordinate this ambitious program, which boasts a substantial financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore.

Jammu, one of the launching sites, will witness the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and Jugal Kishore Sharma, the BJP Lok Sabha member from Jammu-Poonch constituency. The schedule for the launch in Srinagar is yet to be announced.

The ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme received the green light from the Union Cabinet recently, with an approved financial outlay of Rs 1,300 crore over a five-year period from 2023-24 to 2027-28. This scheme holds promise for countless workers engaged in traditional skills, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, which is home to a significant number of artisans working across various domains.

The nitty-gritty details of the scheme have been meticulously worked out by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and are being conveyed to all State and Union Territory Governments and Administrations. The scheme is poised to kick into action once Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launches it on September 17.

The primary objectives of the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme are to revitalize the Guru-Shishya parampara, the tradition of passing down skills from one generation to the next, and to enhance the quality and reach of products and services offered by artisans and craftspeople. Furthermore, it aims to integrate these skilled workers into both domestic and global value chains.

Under this scheme, artisans and craftspeople will receive recognition through a ‘PM Vishwakarma’ certificate and ID card, along with credit support up to Rs.1 lakh (First Tranche) and Rs.2 lakh (Second Tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%. The initiative will also provide skill upgradation, toolkit incentives, incentives for digital transactions, and marketing support.

Covering a wide spectrum of traditional trades, the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme will initially include eighteen crafts such as Carpenter, Boat Maker, Blacksmith, Goldsmith, Potter, Sculptor, Cobbler, Mason, Doll & Toy Maker, Barber, and many more.

This scheme is poised to breathe new life into the traditional craftsmanship of India, empowering artisans, and craftspeople while preserving and promoting our rich heritage.