New Delhi: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of the 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme aimed at the welfare of traditional artisans and craftsmen, the Union Cabinet approved the same on Wednesday. The scheme, designed for five years, has been allocated a financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore.
Endorsed by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), which is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme spanning from 2023-24 to 2027-28 seeks to benefit approximately 30 lakh families of traditional artisans and craftsmen.
During his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister highlighted, "In the upcoming days, we will initiate a scheme on 'Vishwakarma Jayanti,' to uplift individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, particularly from the OBC community."
He added, "Weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, barbers, and similar families will find empowerment through the Vishwakarma Yojana, which will commence with an initial allocation of around Rs 13-15,000 crore."
Under the 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme, artisans and craftspeople will receive recognition through a PM Vishwakarma certificate and an ID card. Moreover, they will be entitled to credit support up to Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) with a concessional interest rate of five per cent. The scheme will also encompass skill enhancement, toolkit incentives, rewards for digital transactions, and marketing assistance.
The scheme's objectives are two-fold: first, to fortify and nurture the 'Guru-Shishya parampara' or the family-based practice of traditional skills among artisans and craftsmen who employ their hands and tools. Second, the scheme aims to enhance the quality and reach of products and services offered by these artisans and craftsmen while ensuring their integration into both domestic and global value chains.
Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw elaborated, "The scheme incorporates two types of skilling programmes, basic and advanced, with beneficiaries receiving a stipend of Rs 500 per day during skills training. Additionally, they will receive support of up to Rs 15,000 for acquiring modern tools."
Vaishnaw also indicated that the scheme's first year would encompass coverage for five lakh families, with a total of 30 lakh families anticipated to be included over the five-year span.
This comprehensive scheme will encompass artisans and craftsmen from rural and urban areas across India, initially focusing on 18 traditional trades under the PM Vishwakarma banner. These include carpenter (suthar), boat maker, armourer, blacksmith (lohar), hammer and tool kit maker, locksmith, goldsmith (sonar), potter (kumhaar), sculptor (moortikar, stone carver), stone breaker, cobbler (charmkar)/shoesmith/footwear artisan, mason (rajmistri), basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver, doll and toy maker (traditional), barber (naai), garland maker (malakaar), washerman (dhobi), tailor (darzi); and fishing net maker.
