PM-Vishwakarma Yojana

PM-Vishwakarma Yojana

News: The Union Cabinet has given its nod to the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at uplifting artisans and craftsmen in India.

What is Vishwakarma Yojana?
• The Vishwakarma Yojana is a pioneering scheme designed to uplift individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, particularly from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community.
• The Yojana seeks to preserve and enhance the guru-shishya parampara (teacher-pupil tradition) of passing down skills within families engaged in various artisanal trades.

What are the key highlights of the Yojana?
• Recognition and Support - Artisans and craftspeople enrolled in the scheme will receive a PM Vishwakarma certificate and an identity card. They will also be eligible for collateral-free credit support of up to ₹1 lakh (first tranche) and ₹2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%.
• Skill Development and Empowerment - The Vishwakarma Yojana has been allocated a budget ranging from ₹13,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore for five financial years from 2023-2024 to 2027-2028. The scheme offers a stipend of ₹500 for skill training and ₹1,500 for the purchase of modern tools.
• Digital Transactions and Marketing - Embracing modern practices, the scheme encourages digital transactions and marketing support, linking artisans with broader markets.
• Integration with Value Chains - A notable objective of the scheme is to ensure that artisans are seamlessly integrated into both domestic and global value chains, thus enhancing their market access and opportunities.