Page 50 - Banking Finance October 2023
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                  PM Vishwakarma Scheme








         O         n September 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  Families associated with 18 such different sectors will be

                   launched the PM Vishwakarma scheme in New
                                                              helped in all possible ways, the PM said. These include:
                   Delhi on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, for
                                                              (i)
                                                                   Carpenters
                   giving government support to workers engaged
          in traditional crafts and skills.                   (ii)  Boat Makers
                                                              (iii)  Armourers
          First announced during his Independence Day speech around  (iv)  Blacksmiths
          a month ago, the scheme is also being seen as a means for
          the  government  to  reach  out  to  the  economically  (v)  Hammer and Tool Kit Makers
          marginalised  and  socially  backward  communities  -  (vi)  Locksmiths
          particularly the Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups -  (vii) Goldsmiths
          before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Here's who the scheme  (viii) Potters
          targets and what its provisions say.
                                                              (ix)  Sculptor, Stone breakers
          What is the Vishwakarma scheme?                     (x)  Cobblers (Shoesmiths/ Footwear artisans)
          It is a new scheme with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore and is  (xi)  Masons (Rajmistri)
          fully  funded  by  the  Central  government.  "On  this  (xii) Basket/Mat/Broom Makers/Coir Weavers
          Vishwakarma Jayanti, we will give about Rs 13,000-15,000
                                                              (xiii) Doll & Toy Makers (Traditional)
          crore to the people who live with traditional skills, who work
          with tools and with their own hands, mostly from the OBC  (xiv) Barbers
          community. Be it our carpenters, our goldsmiths, our  (xv) Garland makers
          masons, our laundry workers, our barber brothers, and  (xvi) Washermen
          sisters…" Modi had said on August 15.
                                                              (xvii) Tailors
          Vishwakarma, in Hindu mythology, is seen as the architect  (xviii) Fishing Net Makes.
          of the gods and was the divine carpenter and master
          craftsman who fashioned the weapons of the gods and built What benefits can be availed of through
          their cities and chariots. Some legends say he was the  the Vishwakarma Scheme?
          architect of the mythical city Lanka mentioned in the Hindu
                                                              The scheme  is to  help enhance the  skills of workers
          epic Ramayana and is also said to have made the great
          image of Jagannatha at Puri in Odisha. He is considered the  employed in these fields and help them avail loans easily to
          patron deity of workers, artisans, and artists.     aid their earnings.
                                                              Under the scheme, the Vishwakarma workers  will be
          Who is eligible for the Vishwakarma                 registered for free through Common Services Centres using
          scheme?                                             the biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal.
          A video from the government that was played at the launch  They will then be provided recognition through the PM
          event  talked about how the  professionals engaged in  Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, given skill upgradation
          traditional crafts and skills for centuries, often taught by elders  involving basic and advanced training, a toolkit incentive of
          in the family, have faced certain problems. These include a  Rs. 15,000, collateral-free credit support up to Rs. 1 lakh (first
          lack of professional training for their work, of modern tools,  tranche) and Rs. 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional
          the issue of distance from the markets relevant to them and  interest rate of 5%, incentive for digital transactions and
          the availability of little capital for investment.  marketing support. (Source: The Indian Express)


            50 | 2023 | OCTOBER                                                            | BANKING FINANCE
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