For centuries, the art and hard work of traditional artisans have had a special place in India. But in this age of machines and technology, their livelihood has come under crisis. Understanding this problem, the government started the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, so that financial and technical assistance can be given to such artisans.
Start and objective of the scheme
Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana was launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in 2023. Its objective is to make the artisans self-reliant by providing them with training, equipment, financial support, and marketing facilities. The government wants to preserve the traditional skill and connect it with the modern market.
What are the benefits?
Under the scheme, artisans are given 5 to 7 days of basic training and 15 days of advanced training. An allowance of Rs 500 per day is given during training. Along with this, a toolkit of Rs 15 thousand is also given. Loan facility is available in two phases. A guarantee-free loan of up to Rs 1 lakh is given in the first phase and up to Rs 2 lakh in the second phase. The government helps up to 8 percent in interest.
Other facilities and marketing assistance
Artisans get a subsidy on digital transactions. Their products are given access to activities like promotion and trade fairs by the National Marketing Committee. This helps the artisans get a bigger market and better prices.
Who can avail the benefit?
Only those artisans can avail the benefit of this scheme who work with hand or tool and are employed as self-employed in the non-organized sector. The applicant must be above 18 years of age and must be associated with one of the 18 selected categories.
These 18 works come under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Under this scheme, traditional artisans associated with carpenters, barbers, masons, blacksmiths, tailors, fishing net makers, goldsmiths, gardeners, weapon makers, potters, sculptors, toy makers, washermen, basket/mat weavers, iron, copper, or bronze workers, cobblers, handloom weavers, and fishermen have been included.
What documents are required for the PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
- Mobile number
- Ration card
- If there is no ration card, then the Aadhaar cards of all members of the family
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Application process for PM Vishwakarma Yojana
To avail the benefits of the scheme, the artisan has to go to the nearest CSC center and register. After this, the Aadhaar verification and biometric process are completed. After verification at the Gram Panchayat or urban body level, the beneficiary is provided with a digital identity card and certificate.