Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launches the PM Vishwakarma Yojana for small artisans and craftsmen on Vishwakarma Jayanti
Benefits were awarded to the beneficiaries by the Chief Minister
Industries Minister Shri Balvantsinh Rajput and Minister of State for Cooperation and Rural Industries Shri Jagdish Vishwakarma mark their presence
Under ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’, benefits for 18 types of trades, including loan without guarantee, tool kit, training, and stipend
On the 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made a significant commitment to the citizens of India from the historic Red Fort. He pledged to introduce a transformative initiative known as the ‘Vishwakarma Yojana.’ To honour this promise, on the auspicious occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti and coinciding with his own birthday, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled the ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ in the heart of Delhi. This visionary program aims to empower skilled artisans and craftsmen from every corner of our diverse nation.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel participated from Ahmedabad in the launch ceremony of this scheme. The Chief Minister awarded the beneficiaries and launched this scheme from Ahmedabad, Gujarat in the presence of Industries Minister Shri Balvantsinh Rajput and Minister of Cooperation and Rural Industries Shri Jagdish Vishwakarma.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that the Prime Minister has made a dedicated effort to ensure development, provide opportunities, and new identity to small artisans and craftsmen through this scheme.
He added that the ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ will be a comprehensive scheme to uplift small and large artisans, providing them with training, technology, credit, and market support.
This ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ will benefit nearly 2 lakh small and large artisans in Gujarat. Not only this, but an estimated 20 lakh people across the country will benefit from the scheme.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel further expressed that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is always dedicated to the welfare of the poor, deprived, oppressed, and marginalized people of the country. In the same spirit, on the auspicious occasion of the birthday of Lord Vishwakarma, the divine craftsman of various trades including sculpture, handicrafts, and architecture, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has gifted the ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ to craftspeople and small artisans.
The Chief Minister spoke about the commitment of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi towards uplifting the poor and the oppressed. In the last 9 years, from the effective implementation of various welfare schemes to uplifting 13.5 crore people from poverty, a new history of governance and development has been made.
Speaking further about the ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’, the Chief Minister mentioned that in the direction of realizing the fundamental principle of ‘Sauno Saath, Sauno Vikas’, this dedicated scheme is set to disburse Rs. 13,000 crore in the next 5 years.
A total of 18 types of professions including carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, toy makers, weavers, masons, boat makers, potters, hammer makers, sculptors, tanners, gardeners, armourers, locksmiths, barbers, fishermen, laundrymen, and tailors will benefit from this scheme, becoming self-reliant and contributing to true development, as expressed by the Chief Minister.
He further stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, every scheme of the central and state government is designed to benefit even the smallest and neediest individual. No one is left behind, and every citizen receives the benefits of the schemes.
Today, every citizen of the country feels that the Central Government is a government for the people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the PM SVANidhi scheme provided a loan assistance of Rs. 300 crores to 3 lakh urban vendors.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, when the country enters the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal’, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana will boost the holistic development of various small artisans and craftspeople of India.
State Industries Minister Shri Balvantsinh Rajput conveyed his greetings on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti and expressed that today marks the auspicious beginning of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana. It is also the birthday of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, making it a day of great significance.
Minister Shri Balvantsinh Rajput further stated that the PM Vishwakarma Yojana will prioritize the craftspeople of 18 different professions, providing them with the necessary support. Along with this, financial aid and modern training will also be made available. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has worked towards ensuring that the benefits of the schemes reach the grassroots level.
Minister Shri Balvantsinh Rajput highlighted that an MoU was signed between the Gujarat Government and Micron Technology as a result of the PM’s successful visit to the USA. Today, Gujarat is the state that provides the highest employment opportunities across the nation.
Cooperation and Rural Industries Minister Shri Jagdish Vishwakarma mentioned that the celebration of Vishwakarma Jayanti and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s birthday have made this day historic. He emphasized that Gujarat is the state which provides the highest employment opportunities to artisans across the country.
He continued that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, items crafted by Vishwakarma artisans are being recognized worldwide. Recently, during the G20 Summit, the dignitaries were presented with items created by Vishwakarma artisans.
He also stated that items produced by artisans are reaching households through various means such as stalls at railway stations nationwide, Ekta Mall in Kevadiya Colony, handicraft shops, and fairs.
The Minister added that in the context of the construction of the Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, the British also worshipped Lord Vishwakarma through a ceremony. Similarly, during the inauguration of the Statue of Unity, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also performed a ceremony in honour of Lord Vishwakarma. The launch of PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a step towards the economic upliftment of Vishwakarma artisans.
Minister Shri Jagdish Vishwakarma urged all citizens, including artisans, to write postcards expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister and also invited them to take a pledge for cleanliness.
It is noteworthy that under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, craftspeople in various professions aged 18 years and above will be provided loans ranging from Rs. 1 lakh at a subsidized interest rate for a period of 18 months and Rs. 2 lakh at a subsidized interest rate for a period of 30 months.
Furthermore, beneficiaries of this scheme will also receive a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and an identification card. The craftspeople will be given basic and advanced level training, stipend, and financial assistance of up to Rs. 15,000 in the form of toolkits. Registration for the scheme will be conducted online based on Aadhaar card authentication through biometric verification at the City Civic Center.
On this occasion, the PM Vishwakarma Information Booklet was also launched.
Ahmedabad Mayor Smt. Pratibha Jain, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Narhari Amin, MP Shri Hasmukh Patel, Dr. Kirit Solanki, Chief Secretary Shri Raj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of Industries and Mines Department Shri S.J. Haider, District Collector Smt. Praveena D. K., Municipal Commissioner Shri M. Thennarasan, District Panchayat President, District Development Officer Shri Mehul Dave, MLAs, officials from the District Panchayat, officers, corporators, and a large number of skilled artisans were present.
Source: Information Department, Gujarat