Modi launches PM Vishwakarma Yojana; inaugurates mega convention centre ‘Yashobhoomi’

STATE TIMES NEWS

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched Rs 13,000-crore PM Vishwakarma Yojana (scheme) for traditional artisans and craftsmen, and inaugurated the Rs 5,400-crore first phase of state-of-the art India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) — ‘Yashobhoomi’ — at Dwarka, here.
“Today I dedicate ‘Yashobhoomi’ to every labourer, every ‘Vishwakarma’ of the nation,” Modi said.
The prime minister further said that today there is such a government in the country that provides recognition to marginalised people.
He also unveiled 18 customised stamp sheets covering the 18 traditional trades whose workers are covered under the scheme, along with a toolkit e-booklet on the occasion of the launch of the Vishwakarma scheme.

PM Vishwakarma Scheme will directly benefit thousands of artisans, crafts people of J&K: Sinha
Srinagar tailor Fayaz Ahmad Bhat receives ID Card, Certificate from PM
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said the ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ will directly benefit thousands of artisans and craftspeople of Jammu and Kashmir working with their hands and tools.
Participating in the launch ceremony of the scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, virtually at the UT-level function organized in Srinagar, the Lieutenant Governor said: “Our outstanding artisans with creativity and hard work have not only preserved the priceless heritage, diverse culture and traditions but also kept the wheels of socio-economic growth moving. These hardworking hands are the strength of the progressive society”.
He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the transformative initiative.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme honours traditional skills of craftspeople and their exemplary commitment and dedication. It will ensure the Vishwakarmas are provided with financial assistance, skill upgradation and they are integrated with national and global value chains, he added.
Traditionally, Vishwakarmas are considered as the drivers of growth. They are the personification of artistic power, lord of the arts, creator of diverse crafts and builders of enterprises. Unfortunately, the discriminatory system in J&K existed here for decades has imprisoned the aspirations of communities engaged in traditional skills, the Lt Governor said.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister, we are working with the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas” to empower poor, deprived sections of society. I am confident ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ will bring revolutionary transformation in the lives of our Vishwakarmas,” the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor highlighted the key initiatives taken by the UT Administration for the socio-economic development of the families engaged in traditional skills and handicrafts and handloom sectors.
Handloom and Handicrafts are emerging as two very important pillars of our economy. The Government has recognized more than 29 other crafts and brought them under the ambit of handicrafts and handloom sector. With the continuous support and guidance from the Prime Minister, we have been successful in doubling the exports of handicrafts and handloom, he said.
The Lt Governor also called upon all the sections of society to identify and isolate the elements trying to disrupt peace and development.
Conflict profiteers have constructed their houses in foreign countries, sent their children abroad for studies and made the poor suffer. We have decimated that ecosystem and dismantled the network of such conflict profiteers. We have overcome many challenges in the last three years to bring peace and prosperity in the life of the common man, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor also highlighted the efforts to bring transparency and accountability in the governance process.
Those who never allowed talent, merit and hard work to flourish, now have problem with the transparent, honest and accountable system. I want to tell them that under the leadership of Prime Minister, rights of people will always be safeguarded, only merit will be promoted and ecosystem of good governance and transparency will be further strengthened, he said.
Kaushal Kishore, Union Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs called for connecting maximum traditional artists and craftspeople with the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
The Union MoS commended the progress registered by Jammu Kashmir under various schemes and also assured all support and assistance to the women folks in establishing industrial units.
Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, a tailor from Srinagar received Vishwakarma ID Card and Certificate from Prime Minister in Delhi. He is an expert in traditional Pheran. He has been working since last 40 years with single-minded pursuit of excellence in this traditional art.
PM Vishwakarma will be fully funded by the Union Government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore.
Under the scheme, the Vishwakarmas will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centres using biometric based PM Vishwakarma portal. They will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training, toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000, collateral-free credit support up to Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
The Scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice and cover the eighteen traditional crafts including Carpenter, Boat Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Goldsmith, Potter, Sculptor, Stonebreaker, Cobbler (Shoesmith/ Footwear artisan), Mason (Rajmistri), Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver, Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional), Barber, Garland maker, Washerman, Tailor and Fishing Net Maker.
Aftab Malik, Chairman, District Development Council Srinagar; Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner/Secretary Science & Technology; Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce; R K Dhiman, ADG,CPWD, HoDs, Political leaders, officers of UT administration, large number of craftspeople and artisans were present at the UT level function.

The goal of the Vishwakarma scheme is to enhance the accessibility and quality of products and services offered by traditional artisans and craftsmen.
The scheme offers collateral-free enterprise development loans of Rs 1 lakh (first tranche for 18 months repayment) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche for 30 months repayment).
A concessional rate of interest of 5 per cent will be charged from the beneficiary with interest subvention cap of 8 per cent to be paid by the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. The credit guarantee fees will be borne by the central government.
With a total project area of over 8.9 lakh square metres and built up area of more than 1.8 lakh square metres, ‘Yashobhoomi’ will find its place among the world’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities.
Giving details about the Vishwakarma scheme to the gathering at the Yashobhoomi, Prime Minister Modi asked the artisans and craftsmen to purchase Made In India toolkits from only those shops which are GST-registered.
Stressing on the government’s vision of ‘Vocal for Local’, he also asked people to purchase local products during the forthcoming festivals, including Ganesh Chaturthi, Dhanteras and Diwali.
Modi further said that conference tourism, estimated at Rs 25 lakh crore, presents a huge opportunity for India.
He said Yashobhoomi has the complete ecosystem for conferences and organising exhibitions and will provide job opportunities to several lakh people.
“Through ‘Yashobhoomi’ convention centre alone, lakhs of youth are expected to get employment opportunities,” said the prime minister.
Yashobhoomi will also be connected to Delhi Airport Metro Express line with the inauguration of the new metro station ‘Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25’.
Delhi Metro will also increase the operational speed of Metro trains on Airport Express Line from 90 to 120 kilometre per hour reducing the travel time. The total journey from ‘New Delhi’ to ‘Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25’ will take about 21 minutes.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the prime minister had last month approved the new Central Sector Scheme ‘PM Vishwakarma’ with a financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for a period of five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28).
Under PM Vishwakarma scheme, 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 further provide skill upgradation, toolkit incentive, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
Artisan or craftsmen working with hands and tools and engaged in one of the 18 family-based traditional trades are eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme.
These trades include carpenter; boat maker; armourer; blacksmith; hammer and toolkit maker; locksmith; goldsmith; potter; sculptor (moortikar, stone carver), stone breaker; cobbler; mason; basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver; doll & toy maker (traditional); barber; garland maker; washermen; tailor; and fishing net maker.