PM Vishwakarma Scheme

• PM Vishwakarma Scheme completes 2 years. In 2 years, around 30 lakhs artisans and craftsmen have been registered under the Scheme.

About PM Vishwakarma Scheme

• Launched in 2023, it is a Central Sector Scheme fully funded by the Government of India.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MoMSME).
• The Scheme is being jointly implemented by-
  1. MoMSME
  2. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  3. Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance.
• Tenure: FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.
• It is designed to uplift traditional artisans and craftspeople engaged in various occupations like blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, carpentry, and sculpting.
• It emphasises encouraging trade in rural and urban areas, with special attention to women’s empowerment and marginalised groups, including SCs, STs, OBCs, Specially Abled, Transgenders, residents of NER states, Island Territories, and Hilly Areas.

Eligibility

• Workers or artisans engaged in traditional family trades in the unorganised sector.
• Applicant must be >18 years of age.
• Should not have already benefited from other similar schemes like PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), PM SVANidhi in the last 5 years.
• Only one member per family can apply for the scheme’s benefits.
• Government employees (Central/State) and their immediate family members are not eligible.

Objective

• Preserving and integrating cultural heritage into the formal economy and global value chains.
• Provide skill upgradation and make relevant and suitable training opportunities.
• Provide support for better and modern tools.
• Provide for brand promotion and market linkages.

Its Features

• Recognition: Artisans and craftspeople enrolled in the scheme will receive a PM Vishwakarma certificate and an ID card.
• Financial assistance: Collateral-free ‘Enterprise Development Loans’ of up to Rs. 3 lakh provided at a concessional interest rate of 5%, with the GoI providing an 8% interest subvention.
• Scope and Coverage: The scheme encompasses 18 traditional trades across rural and urban areas.
• Training: Includes Basic Training (5-7 days) & Advanced Training (15+ days) with a stipend of Rs. 500 per day. e-voucher worth up to Rs. 15,000 is provided at the start of Basic Skill Training.
• Digital Transaction Incentive: Beneficiaries earn Re. 1 per digital transaction, up to 100 transactions/ month.

Achievements of the Scheme

Credits: PIB

Other Initiatives for the Upliftment of Artisans

• Ambedkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana
• Mega Cluster Scheme
• National Handicraft Development Programme
• Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme
• Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
• One District One Product
• Atmanirbhar Hastshilpkar Scheme.