Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated his 73rd birthday on Sunday with a significant gesture towards the nation, the launch of the ‘Vishwakarma Yojana.’ This initiative had been previously announced in the 2023-24 Union Budget and was eagerly awaited after PM Modi’s promise to inaugurate it from the historic Red Fort on Independence Day. The scheme received official approval during a recent cabinet meeting.
The Vishwakarma scheme is set to allocate a substantial budget of Rs 13,000 crore to support individuals possessing traditional skills. This groundbreaking initiative aims to assist various craftsmen, such as goldsmiths, blacksmiths, barbers, and cobblers, in multiple ways. Initially, beneficiaries will have access to loans of up to Rs 1 lakh in the first phase and up to Rs 2 lakh in the subsequent phase, with an exceptionally low interest rate of just 5 percent. Furthermore, the Vishwakarma Yojana will encompass the products and services of these artisans, emphasizing quality enhancement and expanding domestic and global accessibility.
To delve deeper into the loan provisions of this government-launched scheme, a total of up to Rs 3 lakh can be availed. The first phase provides a loan of Rs 1 lakh to kickstart business endeavors, followed by an additional Rs 2 lakh in the second phase to promote business organization and expansion once the enterprise is underway. Additionally, artisans will receive incentives and digital transaction support under this scheme.
The government has thoughtfully included 18 traditional skill-based professions in this program, benefiting artisans and craftsmen residing in both rural and urban areas across India. These categories encompass carpenters, boat makers, blacksmiths, locksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors, masons, fish net makers, toy makers, and more. The central government’s primary goal through the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is to economically empower artisans and craftsmen while preserving India’s rich traditions and culture through their locally crafted products and arts.
As part of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, individuals will receive training from master trainers to enhance their trade skills. The Uttar Pradesh government is already gearing up to implement this scheme on a large scale within the state. Additionally, beneficiaries associated with these 18 trades will receive a daily stipend of Rs 500 alongside skill training.
Furthermore, the scheme offers additional benefits, including a PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill-enhancing basic and advanced training, a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000, and rewards for engaging in digital transactions. The scheme simplifies registration through the Common Service Center (CSC) using the biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal, ensuring a streamlined process for Vishwakarma registration