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The PM Vishwakarma Scheme, launched on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti on 17th September 2023, aims to provide end-to-end support to traditional artisans and craftsmen or ‘Vishwakarma’ to grow their business. Rural India is home to a vast pool of untapped and traditional talent. The rural artisans and craftspeople possess exceptional skills in the traditional crafts like pottery, carpentry and metalwork. Artisanal activities form a significant part of rural economies, and these artistic expressions are integral to preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.
| Table of Content |
| What is the PM Vishwakarma Scheme? What is the Significance of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme? What are the Other Artisans related Schemes under Implementation In India? Conclusion |
What is the PM Vishwakarma Scheme?
1. Aim of the Scheme- PM Vishwakarma scheme aims at improving the quality as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople. The scheme also aims to ensure that the ‘Vishwakarmas’ are integrated into the domestic and global value chains.
2. Launch of the Scheme- Prime Minister of India has launched the ‘Prime Minister (PM) Vishwakarma Scheme’ on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti on 17th September 2023.
3. Type of Scheme- PM Vishwakarma will be implemented as a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Government of India, with an initial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore.
4. Implementing Ministries-
a. The Scheme will be conjointly implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Government of India.
b. MSME will be the Nodal Ministry for the Scheme and the Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner (MSME) in the Ministry of MSME will be the focal point for all aspects of implementation and coordination.
5. Trades Covered under the Scheme- There are 18 traditional trades covered under the scheme. These are:
| Carpenter (Suthar/Badhai) | Boat Maker | Armourer | Goldsmith (Sonar) | Sculptor (Moortikar, stone carver) and Stonebreaker |
| Blacksmith (Lohar) | Hammer and Tool Kit Maker | Locksmith | Potter (Kumhaar) | Fishing Net Maker |
| Cobbler (Charmkar)/ Shoesmith/ Footwear artisan | Mason (Rajmistri) | Basket/Mat/ Broom Maker/Coir Weaver | Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional) | Barber (Naai) |
| Garland Maker (Malakaar) | Washerman (Dhobi) | Tailor (Darzi) |
6. Eligibility Under the Scheme
a. Minimum age of beneficiary should be 18 years.
b. The beneficiary should be engaged in the trade concerned.
c. Should not have availed loans under similar credit-based schemes of Central Government or State Government.
d. The registration and benefits under the Scheme shall be restricted to one member of the family.
7. Exclusion under the Scheme
Existing beneficiaries of the PM Employment Generation Programme are excluded while beneficiaries of PM Mudra Scheme or PM-Svanidhi can apply for credit only after repayment.
8. Lending institutions- Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks, NBFCs and Micro-Finance Institutions.
9. Registration- The Scheme will onboard the beneficiaries on Udyam Assist Platform as ‘entrepreneurs’. Enrolment of beneficiaries shall be done through Common Service Centres with Aadhaar-based biometric authentication on PM Vishwakarma portal.
10. Benefits under the Scheme- Scheme intends to provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople through the following six interventions-
| Recognition | The Beneficiaries will get a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID card after they are registered and verified. |
| Skill Upgradation | Artisans will receive basic training of 5-7 days and advanced training of 15 days or more, along with a stipend of Rs. 500 per day as wage compensation. At the end of the basic training, an independent assessment will be conducted, and National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) certification will be provided to the successful candidate. |
| Toolkit Incentive | At the beginning of basic training, artisans and craftspeople will get toolkit incentive of up to Rs. 15,000 through e-RUPI/e-vouchers. |
| Credit Support | The government will provide collateral-free loans of up to Rs. 3 lakhs in two tranches of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakhs, according to their requirements. These loans can be paid back in 18 months and 30 months, respectively. Loan is provided at a concessional interest rate fixed at 5%, with the Government of India subvention to the extent of 8%. |
| Incentive for Digital Transaction | The scheme will encourage beneficiaries to adopt digital transactions. The beneficiaries of this scheme will be given cashback incentives every time they either sell or receive a digital transaction. |
| Marketing Support | A marketing strategy has been prepared to promote the products and services of these artisans in both domestic and international markets. |
What is the Significance of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme?
1. Formalisation of the Informal Artisanal Industry- With access to formal credit support, promotion of digital transactions and inclusion in the formal MSME ecosystem, the scheme will formalise the industry.
2. Integration with Global Value Chains- The marketing Support provided through this scheme will help to link the local artisanal industry with the global value chains and the niche foreign markets. For Ex- Promotion of brass metal works of India in Europe.
3. Preservation of rich Indian heritage- The support provided through this scheme to the artisans will lead to the preservation of cultural practices, rich heritage, generational skills, and guru-shishya parampara. It will provide a sense of Identity to the artisans. For ex- Bangle makers of Moradabad.
4. Empowerment of Women- The Scheme seeks to promote the empowerment of women belonging to the marginalized or under-served groups like the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Specially Abled, Transgenders, residents of NER states, Island Territories, and Hilly Areas.
5. Awareness about other Schemes- Through this scheme, efforts will be made to increase awareness among the beneficiaries to avail social security benefits under the various schemes of the Government of India and State Governments such as Prime Minister Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Prime Minister Suraksha Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana.
| Read more- PM Vishwakarma Scheme |
What are the Other Artisans related Schemes under Implementation In India?
Currently, there are about 20 central sector schemes that seek to support and empower artisans across the country. Some major Schemes are explained in brief below
| The National Handicraft Development Programme | The schemes focus on handloom and handicrafts artisans by providing them with credit, marketing, tookits, skill training, and social security support |
| PM SVANidhi | The scheme provides for collateral-free working capital loans with interest subsidies and incentives for digital transactions support to street-vendors/hawkers vending in urban areas. |
| Upgrading Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD) | The scheme being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs provides support for the upgrading of skills and training. |
Conclusion
Vishwakarmas in India are a diverse group of skilled craftsmen and artisans who have played a crucial role in the country’s art, architecture, and cultural heritage. They continue to contribute to India’s rich artistic and architectural traditions while adapting to the demands of the modern world. The Indian government and various organizations have recognized the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship. PM Vishwakarma Scheme is an effort made to provide training, support, and platforms for Vishwakarma artisans to showcase their skills.
| Read More- The Indian Express UPSC Syllabus- GS 2- Government Schemes for the Vulnerable Sectors |
