
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme for traditional artisans and craftspeople on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. He also launched Vishwakarma logo, tagline ‘Samman Samarthya Samridhi’, and the portal.
The scheme will be fully funded by the Union Government with an outlay of Rs13,000 crore. Under the scheme, the Vishwakarmas will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centres using the biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal. They will be provided recognition through a certificate and ID card, skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training, toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000, collateral-free credit support up to Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
The scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by Vishwakarmas working with their hands and tools. The prime focus of PM Vishwakarma is to improve the quality as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople in rural and urban areas across India and to ensure that they are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.
Eighteen traditional crafts will be covered under PM Vishwakarma. These include carpenter, boat maker, armourer, blacksmith, hammer and tool kit maker, locksmith, goldsmith, potter, sculptor, stone breaker, cobbler (shoesmith/footwear artisan), mason (rajmistri), basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver, doll and toy maker (traditional), barber, garland maker, washerman, tailor, and fishing net maker.