Vishwakarma Scheme: A Boost for Indian Artisans and Craftspeople
The Vishwakarma Scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2023, is a landmark initiative to empower millions of artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools in various trades. The scheme aims to provide end-to-end support to these skilled workers, who are often neglected and marginalized in the formal economy.
The scheme covers 18 trades, such as carpenter, blacksmith, potter, cobbler, tailor, barber, etc. These trades are associated with Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect and craftsman in Hindu mythology. The scheme recognizes the contribution of these workers to the nation’s cultural heritage and economic development.
Benefits of the Vishwakarma Scheme
The Vishwakarma Scheme offers a range of benefits to the enrolled beneficiaries, such as:
- Recognition: The beneficiaries receive a PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, which validates their identity and skills. The PM Vishwakarma certificate is a prestigious recognition for the artisans and craftspeople.
- Skill Upgradation: The beneficiaries undergo basic and advanced training programs to enhance their skills and productivity. They also receive a stipend of Rs. 500 per day during the training period. The skill upgradation helps them to improve their quality and efficiency.
- Toolkit Incentive: The beneficiaries get an e-voucher of upto Rs. 15,000 to purchase tools and equipment at the beginning of the basic skill training. The toolkit incentive enables them to acquire modern and updated tools for their trade.
- Credit Support: The beneficiaries can avail collateral-free enterprise development loans of upto Rs. 3 lakh at a concessional interest rate of 5%, with Government of India subvention of 8%. The loans are disbursed in two tranches of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh, depending on the eligibility criteria. The credit support helps them to expand their business and income.
- Incentive for Digital Transaction: The beneficiaries get an incentive of Re. 1 per digital transaction, upto maximum 100 transactions monthly, for using digital modes of payment or receipt in their business. The incentive for digital transaction encourages them to adopt cashless and transparent transactions.
- Marketing Support: The beneficiaries get quality certification, branding, onboarding on e-commerce platforms such as GeM, advertising, publicity and other marketing support to improve their linkage to domestic and global value chains. The marketing support helps them to access wider markets and customers.
The scheme also onboards the beneficiaries on Udyam Assist Platform as ‘entrepreneurs’ in the formal MSME ecosystem.
Registration Process Vishwakarma Scheme
The registration process for the Vishwakarma Scheme is simple and hassle-free. The beneficiaries can enroll themselves through Common Service Centres (CSCs) with Aadhaar-based biometric authentication on PM Vishwakarma portal. The enrollment is followed by a three-step verification process involving Gram Panchayat/ ULB level verification, District Implementation Committee recommendation and Screening Committee approval.
Achievements So Far of Vishwakarma Scheme
According to the latest data available on the PM Vishwakarma portal, as many as 4.78 million people have registered for the scheme so far, out of which level 1 verification has been completed for 0.77 million. The scheme has received positive feedback from the beneficiaries, who have expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for providing them recognition, dignity and opportunity.
The Vishwakarma Scheme is a visionary step towards creating an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, where every artisan and crafts person can showcase their talent and creativity to the world.