PM Vishwakarma Yojna-Details, Duration, Features And Eligibility

The MSME-Development Office, Karnal, Government of India, organised an awareness workshop about the PM Vishwakarma initiative. It was inaugurated on December 27, 2023, at GVM Girls College, Murthal Road, Sonipat. Shri Mohanlal Badoli, MLA, Rai Assembly Constituency, District Sonipat, was the program's chief guest. The Gram Panchayat/Urban Local Body registration and onboarding process was also explained. The goal of this awareness campaign is to inform people about the government of India's aid for the general development of traditional artisans.

PM Vishwakarma Scheme

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi introduced the PM Vishwakarma Scheme on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti on 17 September 2023. 
• Sammaan, Samarthya, and Samriddhi are the three foundations of this plan.
• It would be executed as a Central Sector Scheme, with the Government of India entirely funding it.
• The Scheme's Nodal Ministry is the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME). 
• Under this initiative, the following benefits are provided:
  • A tool kit of Rs, 15000/-
  • A loan worth Rs 3 lakh without collateral at 5% interest
  • Free skill training
  • A daily allowance of Rs 500
• The purpose of the programme is to provide government aid to workers who practise traditional crafts and abilities. 
• It focuses on economically and socially disadvantaged populations, notably those from the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Duration

• PM Vishwakarma Yojana will be implemented for a period of five years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28.

PM Vishwakarma Scheme Eligibility

• Artists or craftsmen from the 18 identified traditional areas will be included.
• The minimum age is 18 years old.
• Except for MUDRA and SVANidhi beneficiaries who have fully returned their loans, no loans have been obtained under such credit-based schemes in the last 5 years.
• Only one family member may register and receive benefits.
• Government Employees and their families are not eligible. 

Implementing Ministries 

• Three main ministries will cooperatively supervise the initiative: 
  • the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME)
  • the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
  •  the Ministry of Finance (MoF)

Who are Vishwakarmas?

• A significant proportion of India's workforce is made up of artisans and craftspeople who do manual labour, often as self-employed persons in the informal sector.
• These people, known as 'Vishwakarmas' work in traditional occupations, including blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, carpenters, and sculptors.