The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises has received 31,806 applications on the PM Vishwakarma Portal for availing the scheme benefits under PM Vishwakarma Yojana which was launched on this year on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, 17th September. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for MSME, Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma stated that the scheme provided end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.
As on 12th December 2023, the highest number of applications have been received from Karnataka where 15,051 traditional artisans and craftspeople have applied for the scheme for which the financial outlay from FY 2023-2024 to FY 2027-28 is Rs 13,000 crore. Assam comes next with 6915. Nagaland and ten other States and Union Territories have zero applicants.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme covers artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 tradesviz. (i) Carpenter(Suthar/Badhai);(ii) Boat Maker; (iii) Armourer; (iv) Blacksmith (Lohar); (v)Hammer and Tool Kit Maker; (vi) Locksmith; (vii) Goldsmith (Sonar); (viii) Potter (Kumhaar); (ix) Sculptor (Moortikar, stone carver), Stone breaker; (x) Cobbler (Charmkar)/ Shoesmith/ Footwearartisan; (xi)Mason (Rajmistri); (xii) Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver; (xiii) Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional); (xiv) Barber (Naai); (xv) Garland maker (Malakaar); (xvi) Washerman (Dhobi); (xvii) Tailor (Darzi); and (xviii) Fishing Net Maker.
The benefits of the Scheme include the following:
Recognition: Recognition of artisans and craftspeople through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.
Skill Upgradation: Basic training of 5-7 days and advanced training of 15 days or more, with a stipend of Rs. 500 per day.
Toolkit Incentive: A toolkit incentive of upto Rs. 15,000 through e-vouchers at the start of basic skill training.
Credit Support: Collateral free ‘Enterprise Development Loans’ of upto Rs. 3 lakh in two tranches of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh with tenures of 18 months and 30 months, respectively, at a concessional rate of interest fixed at 5%, with Government of India subvention to the extent of 8%. Beneficiaries who have completed basic training will be eligible to avail the first tranche of credit support of upto Rs. 1 lakh. The second loan tranche will be available to beneficiaries who have availed the first tranche and maintained a standard loan account and have adopted digital transactions in their business or have undergone advanced training.
Incentive for Digital Transaction: An amount of one rupee per eligible digital transaction, upto maximum 100 eligible transactions monthly will be provided to the beneficiary for digital pay-out or receipt.
Marketing Support: Marketing support in the form of quality certification, branding, onboarding on e-commerce platforms such as GeM, advertising, publicity and other marketing activities to improve linkage to value chain.
