Vishwakarma Yojna is PM's another step for collective progress of India - Meenakshi Lekhi 

Ludhiana, September 17, 2023: Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi said that the Nation is progressing leaps and bounds under the stewardship of the Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and the idea of launching PM Vishwakarma Yojna for the artisans and craftspeople is his another step to take along all for the collective progress of the country.

Addressing artisans and craftspeople at the launching program of the PM Vishwakarma Yojna at Punjab Agriculture University in Ludhiana, today, Smt. Lekhi said the Prime Minister's mantra - Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas - will help all to progress and specially those who were earlier ignored. The program was live telecast from New Delhi where the Yojna was formally launched by the Prime Minister on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, today. Over 700 artisans and craftspeople from various districts of Punjab attended the launch here.

She said this is the first time that such artisans and craftspeople from unorganised sector would be financially benefited to progress in life and contribute in Nation building. 18 types of traditional artisans and craftspeople who are self employed and working under unorganised sector will be benefited under this scheme. She called upon all the artisans to get benefited from this scheme. 

PM Vishwakarma Yojna is a centrally supported scheme with a financial outlay of Rs. 13000 crore aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools. It will provide support both from rural and urban areas across India.

PM Vishwakarma Yojna envisages to provide end-to-end support to the artisans and craftspeople through various components including PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card- recognition of artisans and craftspeople as Vishwakarma making them eligible to avail all the benefits under the Scheme.

Benefits include Collateral free loan up to Rs. 3 Lakh to the beneficiaries. Tool kit upto Rs. 15 thousand. Training for skill upgradation and stipend of Rs. 500 per day. Marketing assistance like Quality Certification, Branding and Advertisement for finished products.

Those who would be benefited include Carpenters and Boat Makers under the Wood Based trade. Armourers, Blacksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Sculptors (Moortikar) are included under Iron/Metal Based/ Stone Based trade and self employed Goldsmiths are also there.

Special care has been given to benefit Potters, Coblers, Basket/Broom/Mats makers, Barber, Garland Maker, Tailor, Washerman, Fishing Net Maker who work with hands to craft such materials employing traditional techniques.
Self employed Doll & Toy Makers (Traditional) and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools to make Dolls and Toys by using materials such as wool, threads, cotton, wood, etc. are also part of the PM's Vishwakarma scheme. <><><>