Govt calls states, bank officials for 'PM Vishwakarma' meeting on Aug 28

A gathering of high-ranking officials from states, public sector banks, and the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) has been scheduled by the government on Monday (August 28).

The purpose of this meeting is to deliberate on the execution of the 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme, valued at Rs 13,000 crore, aimed at providing assistance to traditional artisans and craftsmen.

The scheme, which would be launched on September 17, would be implemented by three ministries -- MSME, Skill Development and Finance. The target is to enrol as many as 3 lakh beneficiaries in the current fiscal, an official said.

"The Skill Ministry has called a meeting on August 28, in which principal secretaries of states, managing directors of banks, and SLBC representatives have been invited.

"The meeting will discuss the roadmap for implementation of the scheme and process of identification of beneficiaries of PM Vishwakarma scheme," the official said.

Under the scheme, the skilled workmen will be given training for 4-5 days to upgrade their skill, following which they will become eligible for loan.

"Our target for this fiscal is to give loans to 3 lakh beneficiaries," the official added.

The main thrust of the scheme will be on rural areas, where village-level and district-level committees will identify the beneficiaries.

In urban India, municipal corporations will identify the beneficiaries. A final decision on enrolment will be taken by the MSME ministry, the official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement about the scheme in his Independence Day address on August 15, 2023.

The Union Cabinet on August 16, approved the central sector scheme PM Vishwakarma with a financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for a period of five years (2023-24 to 2027-28).

Under PM Vishwakarma scheme, the artisans and craftspeople will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, Credit Support up to Rs 1 lakh (First Tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (Second Tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent.

The scheme will provide support to artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban areas across India.

As many as 18 traditional trades will be covered in the first instance under PM Vishwakarma.

These trades include carpenter, boat maker, armourer, blacksmith, hammer and tool kit maker, locksmith, goldsmith, potter, sculptor, stone breaker, cobbler/ shoesmith/footwear artisan, mason, basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver, doll & toy maker, barber, garland maker, washerman, tailor, and fishing net maker. 

(With agency inputs)