Chandigarh: The PM Vishwakarma scheme was launched today in Chandigarh at Government Medical College and Hospital , Sector 32, Chandigarh. The Chief Guest for the event was Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar.The event was also attended and addressed by Hon’ble Speaker, Haryana Legislativev Assembly and MLA, Shri Gian Chand Gupta, Adviser to the UT Administrator,
Chandigarh Shri Dharam Pal and Chairman,Shivalik Development Board Shri Om Prakash Devinagar.
The PM Vishwakarma scheme was virtually launched at seventy locations across the country by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti from Yashobhoomi, Sector 25,Dwarka in New Delhi to spread wider awareness among beneficiaries. The Scheme aims to strengthen and nurture 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 at improving the quality as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that they are integrated with the domestic and global value chains.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of State for Power and Heavy Industries, Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar said that PM Vishwakarma scheme would not only benefit lakhs of Vishwakarmas, but also bring the talent of these traditional craftsmen into the mainstream of economy.These craftsmen who work with their hands , can now avail loans at low interest and work in a dignified manner.Their craftsmenship will not only be pitched at local and national level, but also at global level to give them greater recodnition.’’
PM Vishwakarma will be fully funded by the Union Government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore. Under the scheme, the Vishwakarmas will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centres using biometric based PM Vishwakarma portal. They will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training, toolkit incentive of ₹15,000, collateral-free credit support up to ₹1 lakh (first tranche) and ₹2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
The scheme will provide support to artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban areas across India. Eighteen traditional crafts like 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 & Toy Maker (Traditional), Barber, Garland maker, Washerman, Tailor, Fishing Net Maker, will be covered under PM Vishwakarma scheme.
Shri Deepak Chechi , IEDS of MSME-DFO, Ludhiana was also present at the occasion. Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise is the nodal ministry of PM Vishwakarma Yojana. Multiple implementation activities planned under the scheme includes identification & verification of beneficiaries, their mobilization for skill up-gradation training, facilitating credit support, marketing support, etc. to enable them to move up the value-chain.