With an aim to help India’s artisans, the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM VIKAS) has seen enrolment of 21.37 lakh artisans and craftspeople.
According to the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam in 2023, for centuries, traditional artisans and craftspeople, who work with their hands using tools have brought fame for India. They are generally referred to as “vishwakarmas”. “The art and handicraft created by them represents the true spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. For the first time, a package of assistance for them has been conceptualised. The new scheme will enable them to improve the quality, scale and reach of their products, integrating them with the MSME value chain,” the FM had said in the previous budget speech.
The components of the scheme were to include not only financial support, but also give them easier access to advanced skill training, knowledge of modern digital techniques and efficient green technologies, brand promotion, linkage with local and global markets, digital payments and social security.
Providing an update on this scheme, the Interim Budget presented on February 1, 2024, states that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the “PM Vishwakarma” Scheme on August 16, 2023, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for a period of five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28).The scheme’s guidelines have been approved and shared with stakeholders including states/Union territories (UTs), Reserve Bank of India, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. These are available on the PM Vishwakarma portal.Enrolment of artisans and craftspeople have commenced on PM Vishwakarma portal from September 17, 2023. As on December 1, 2023, total enrolments were 21.37 lakh artisans and craftspeople. “Extensive consultations are being conducted with States/Union Territories (UTs), MoPR (Ministry of Panchayati Raj), MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development) and CSCs (Common Services Centres) to onboard Gram Pradhans (GPs) on the portal on priority,” says the document.
According to the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam in 2023, for centuries, traditional artisans and craftspeople, who work with their hands using tools have brought fame for India. They are generally referred to as “vishwakarmas”. “The art and handicraft created by them represents the true spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. For the first time, a package of assistance for them has been conceptualised. The new scheme will enable them to improve the quality, scale and reach of their products, integrating them with the MSME value chain,” the FM had said in the previous budget speech.
The components of the scheme were to include not only financial support, but also give them easier access to advanced skill training, knowledge of modern digital techniques and efficient green technologies, brand promotion, linkage with local and global markets, digital payments and social security.
Providing an update on this scheme, the Interim Budget presented on February 1, 2024, states that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the “PM Vishwakarma” Scheme on August 16, 2023, with a budgetary outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for a period of five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28).The scheme’s guidelines have been approved and shared with stakeholders including states/Union territories (UTs), Reserve Bank of India, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. These are available on the PM Vishwakarma portal.Enrolment of artisans and craftspeople have commenced on PM Vishwakarma portal from September 17, 2023. As on December 1, 2023, total enrolments were 21.37 lakh artisans and craftspeople. “Extensive consultations are being conducted with States/Union Territories (UTs), MoPR (Ministry of Panchayati Raj), MoRD (Ministry of Rural Development) and CSCs (Common Services Centres) to onboard Gram Pradhans (GPs) on the portal on priority,” says the document.
