PM Vishwakarma Yojana Details: Check All the Details Related to the Scheme like Objectives, beneficiaries, Benefits, Implementation, Verification, Financial Implications, and Other Details Here.
A significant part of the Indian economy consists of artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools. These traditional artisans and craftspeople are typically self-employed and are generally considered part of the informal or unorganized sector of the economy.
These artisans and craftspeople are referred to as ‘Vishwakarma’ and are engaged in occupations such as blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, carpenters, sculptors, etc.
These skills or occupations have been passed down through generations within families and other informal groups under traditional apprenticeship through the guru-shishya model.
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Objective of PM Vishwakarma Yojana
The main objective of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is to support artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.
To achieve this objective, the government aims to provide financial support to these traditional artisans and craftspeople, as well as help them keep their heritage and local products, arts, and crafts alive.
Beneficiary Classes of PM Vishwakarma Yojana
A total of 18 traditional occupations are included under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, the main ones being:
- Carpenter (Suthar/Badhai)
- Boat maker
- Armorer
- Blacksmith (Lohar)
- Hammer and tool kit maker
- Locksmith
- Goldsmith (Sonar)
- Potter (Kumhar)
- Sculptor (Murtikaar, Stone carver), Stone breaker
- Cobbler (Charmkar)/Shoemaker/Footwear artisan
- Mason (Rajmistri)
- Basket/Mat/Broom maker/Coir weaver
- Doll and toy maker (traditional)
- Barber (Nai)
- Garland maker (Malakar)
- Washerman (Dhobi)
- Tailor (Darzi)
- Fishing net maker
Benefits of PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, artisans and craftspeople are provided with the following benefits:
- Identity: Artisans and craftspeople are recognized through PM Vishwakarma certificates and ID cards. This gives them respect based on their identity and skills.
- Skill Upgradation: Artisans and craftspeople are provided with 5-7 days of basic training and 15 days or more of advanced training. During this training, they are also given a stipend of 500 rupees per day.
- Toolkit Incentive: Artisans and craftspeople are provided with an e-voucher of up to 15,000 rupees to obtain the necessary toolkit for their work.
- Loan Assistance: Artisans and craftspeople are provided with a collateral-free ‘Enterprise Development Loan’ of up to 3 lakh rupees. This loan is given in two installments – the first installment is 1 lakh rupees and the second installment is 2 lakh rupees. These loans carry a concessional interest rate of 5% and a subsidy of up to 8% is provided by the Government of India.
- Incentive for Digital Transactions: Artisans and craftspeople are given an incentive of 1 rupee per transaction for digital payment or receipt, up to a maximum of 100 transactions per month.
- Marketing Assistance: Artisans and craftspeople are provided with marketing assistance through quality certification, branding, onboarding on e-commerce platforms, advertising, promotion, and other marketing activities.
In addition to these benefits, beneficiaries under the scheme are included in the formal MSME ecosystem as ‘entrepreneurs’.
Implementation of the Scheme
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is being implemented as follows:
Registration: Beneficiaries are registered on the PM Vishwakarma portal through Common Service Centers with Aadhaar-based biometric authentication.
Verification: After registration, there is a three-stage verification process:
- Verification at the Gram Panchayat/ULB level
- Approval and recommendation by the District Implementation Committee
- Approval by the Screening Committee
Training and Loan: Beneficiaries who complete basic training are eligible to receive the first loan of 1 lakh rupees. After advanced training and maintaining a standard loan account, beneficiaries can receive the second loan of 2 lakh rupees.
Digital Transactions and Marketing Support: Beneficiaries are provided with incentives for digital transactions and marketing support.
Financial Outlay and Implementation Status of the Scheme
The financial outlay for the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is 13,000 crore rupees from FY 2023-24 to 2027-28.
In the financial year 2023 (as of 12.12.2023), the state/UT-wise registered applications received in the PM Vishwakarma portal to avail the benefits of the scheme under PM Vishwakarma Yojana are given in ‘Annexure-I’.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has started engaging Gurus/Masters for the implementation of PM Vishwakarma Yojana, whose state/UT-wise list is attached in ‘Annexure-II’.
Conclusion
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is an important initiative that provides support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools. Through this scheme, the government is attempting to preserve these traditional skills and occupations and connect them with the modern economy. This scheme will not only provide financial benefits to artisans and craftspeople but will also help keep India’s rich cultural heritage alive.