PM launches Vishwakarma Scheme, reaffirms government's dedication to uplift marginalized communities

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting traditional artisans known as 'Vishwakarmas' and launched the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. This initiative aims to provide collateral-free loans and skills training to 18 categories of traditional artisans and craftspersons. The scheme has a budget of Rs 13,000 crore allocated over five years until 2027-28.

During the inauguration of the India International Convention Centre called Yashobhoomi in Delhi's Dwarka, Prime Minister Modi highlighted India's potential as a major destination for conference tourism. He mentioned that big global companies often outsource work to smaller enterprises, and he expressed the desire for Vishwakarma artisans to become part of the global supply chain, emphasizing the scheme's role in modernizing their skills.

Modi noted that India's current share in global conference tourism is only 1 percent but expects that facilities like Yashobhoomi and Bharat Mandapam will increase this share and promote Indian local products on a global scale. He stressed the responsibility of promoting "vocal for local" and then taking these local products to a global audience.

The PM Vishwakarma Scheme offers artisans a five-day skills workshop, vouchers to purchase necessary toolkits, and the opportunity to secure interest-free loans of up to Rs 3 lakh. The launch event was attended by various ministers, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, MSME Minister Narayan Rane, and Skill Development Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Under the scheme's skill development component, beneficiaries will receive training workshops with a daily stipend, and they'll receive vouchers to buy toolkits. Prime Minister Modi encouraged artisans to purchase tools made in India from GST-registered stores.

In the financial assistance part of the scheme, beneficiaries can access interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh initially, repayable within 18 months. Upon repayment, they qualify for a second loan of Rs 2 lakh at a 5 percent interest rate. Sitharaman mentioned that beneficiaries would also receive a subsidy of up to 8 percent on the interest amount.

The scheme aims to benefit approximately 30 lakh families of traditional artisans and craftsmen, including weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers. Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the enduring relevance of artisans' craft in modern times, even with technological advancements.

As upcoming festivals approach, such as Ganesh Chaturthi, Dhanteras, and Diwali, Prime Minister Modi urged people to buy local products, especially those crafted by Vishwakarmas.

In addition to launching the scheme, PM Modi unveiled postal stamps inspired by it and a toolkit booklet for artisans in various languages. He awarded the PM Vishwakarma certificate to several artisans and participated in an exhibition showcasing traditional skills and new technologies.

Earlier, he inaugurated an extension of the Delhi Airport Metro Express line and announced the Vishwakarma Yojana during his Independence Day address. The scheme aims to preserve and strengthen the "guru-shishya parampara" or family-based tradition of traditional skills among artisans and craftspeople. It provides recognition through certificates and ID cards, credit support, skill upgrading, toolkit incentives, digital transactions, and marketing support.

In the 2023-24 Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM VIKAS) Yojana, aimed at enhancing the quality and reach of products made by traditional artisans by providing financial assistance, skill training, modern technology knowledge, and market access. This is expected to benefit marginalized groups like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, women, and weaker sections of society.