Indian Government will  launch PM Vishwakarma Yojana to Empower Artisans and Craftsmen

The central government will launch the new PM Vishwakarma Yojana on Vishwakarma Jayanti, which falls on September 17, 2023. The scheme will provide financial support, skill training, and access to modern technologies to help artisans and craftsmen improve the quality, scale, and reach of their products.

The scheme was announced in this year's budget for traditional artisans and craftspeople. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had noted that the components of the scheme will include not only financial support but also 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.

The scheme is expected to benefit over 30 lakh families of artisans and craftsmen. It is a major initiative by the government to promote traditional arts and crafts and to ensure the welfare of artisans and craftsmen.

In a related development, the government has also launched an e-commerce portal, Indiahandmade.com, to help artisans and weavers sell their handloom and handicraft products directly to customers without any middlemen.

The portal was launched in April 2023 and currently offers products from more than 35 lakh handloom weavers and 27 lakh handicraft artisans.

The PM Vishwakarma Yojana and the Indiahandmade.com portal are two important initiatives by the government to promote traditional arts and crafts and to empower artisans and craftsmen. These initiatives are expected to help artisans and craftsmen improve their livelihood and contribute to the growth of the Indian economy.

Empowering Traditional Industries

According to a statement by MSME Minister Narayan Rane, the Vishwakarma Yojana is poised to offer much-needed empowerment and assistance to traditional industries operating within the MSME sector. The scheme's launch on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, which falls on September 17 this year, symbolizes the government's commitment to uplifting these industries.

Prime Minister's Vision

The announcement follows closely after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address, wherein he revealed plans to launch the scheme on Vishwakarma Jayanti. This scheme is particularly designed to benefit individuals skilled in traditional craftsmanship, with a specific focus on the OBC community.

Modi mentioned, "Weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, barbers, and such families will be empowered through the Vishwakarma Yojana, which will begin with an allocation of around Rs 13-15 thousand crore."

Budget Allocation and Focus

The Vishwakarma Yojana was initially introduced in this year's budget to extend support to traditional artisans and craftspeople. The goal is to enhance the quality, scale, and reach of their products while seamlessly integrating them into the MSME value chain. This holistic approach aims to foster a thriving ecosystem for traditional industries.

Holistic Components

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her budget speech, highlighted the multifaceted components of the scheme. These include not only financial assistance but also access to advanced skill training, knowledge of modern digital techniques, incorporation of efficient green technologies, brand promotion, connection to local and global markets, adoption of digital payments, and provision of social security.

Inclusive Outreach and Industry Linkage

Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need to reach out to artisans residing in remote areas. He encouraged stakeholders to devise an action plan that extends support to these artisans. By integrating them into the supply chain of the MSME sector, these skilled individuals can contribute to increased production while receiving skill development and quality training.

Facilitating Direct Sales through E-commerce

To further empower artisans and weavers, the government launched the Indiahandmade.com e-commerce portal in April. This platform enables artisans and weavers to directly showcase and sell their handloom and handicraft products to consumers, eliminating intermediaries.

The portal features a wide array of products including clothing, home decor, jewelry, and accessories, all handcrafted by skilled artisans.

Some relevant and latest facts about the PM Vishwakarma Yojana:

• The scheme will be launched on Vishwakarma Jayanti, which falls on September 17, 2023.

• The scheme has been allocated Rs 13-15 thousand crore.

• The scheme will provide financial support, skill training, access to modern technologies, brand promotion, linkage with local and global markets, digital payments, and social security to artisans and craftsmen.

• The scheme is expected to benefit over 30 lakh families of artisans and craftsmen.

• The scheme is a major initiative by the government to promote traditional arts and crafts and to ensure the welfare of artisans and craftsmen.

• The government has also launched an e-commerce portal, Indiahandmade.com, to help artisans and weavers sell their handloom and handicraft products directly to customers without any middlemen.

The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a timely and important initiative by the government. It will help to preserve and promote traditional arts and crafts, and it will also help to improve the livelihood of artisans and craftsmen. The scheme is expected to have a positive impact on the Indian economy.

Here are some of the latest developments related to the PM Vishwakarma Yojana:

• The government has released the guidelines for the scheme.

• The government has started registering artisans and craftsmen under the scheme.

• The government has started setting up training centers for artisans and craftsmen.

• The government has started linking artisans and craftsmen with the MSME value chain.

• The government has started promoting the products of artisans and craftsmen through various marketing channels.

The PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a work in progress, but it is off to a good start. The government is committed to making the scheme a success, and it is confident that the scheme will help to empower artisans and craftsmen and promote traditional arts and crafts in India.

Conclusion

The impending launch of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana on Vishwakarma Jayanti stands as a testament to the government's commitment to revitalizing traditional industries and empowering skilled artisans.

This scheme's comprehensive approach, encompassing financial support, skill enhancement, and market integration, is poised to bring about a transformative change in the lives of artisans, ultimately bolstering the MSME sector and fostering socio-economic growth.