By: Sushri Shobha Karandlaje: India has long been a nation rich in traditional arts and crafts. These age-old skills, deeply rooted in cultural heritage, play a vital role in generating employment, especially in rural areas. Artisans and craftspeople, known for their work in pottery, boat making, shoemaking, and various other trades, contribute significantly to the informal economy. Their craftsmanship touches the daily lives of millions, fostering community development and strengthening the rural economy.
To uplift these skilled artisans, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the *PM Vishwakarma Scheme* on September 17, 2023, coinciding with Vishwakarma Jayanti. This comprehensive initiative aims to transform the lives of traditional craftsmen, also referred to as Vishwakarmas, by providing them with a range of government-backed support systems.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme covers an extensive array of traditional trades, such as carpenters, boat makers, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, cobblers, and stone carvers, among others. It offers an end-to-end solution for these tradespeople, addressing their needs from skill development to financial inclusion, ensuring that their craftsmanship continues to thrive in modern India.
A Holistic Approach
The scheme follows a “Whole of Government” approach, involving the *Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), **Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and **Department of Financial Services*. This inter-ministerial collaboration, in coordination with state governments, ensures a robust verification and registration process for the beneficiaries. The state governments play a crucial role in verifying and onboarding the beneficiaries, ensuring that the scheme’s impact reaches every corner of the country.
When launched, the scheme had set an ambitious target of onboarding 30 lakh beneficiaries within five years. However, within just 11 months, 2.36 crore enrolments have already been made, with 17.16 lakh artisans successfully registered after a stringent three-stage verification process. This overwhelming response underscores the scheme’s relevance and the enthusiasm it has generated among India’s traditional craftspeople.
Karnataka Leading the Way
Karnataka, a state known for its rich traditions in stone carving, sandalwood work, and metal crafts, has seen remarkable engagement with the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. As of today, nearly 29 lakh artisans from the state have enrolled in the scheme, with 3.93 lakh successfully registered. Out of these, 2 lakh artisans have completed skill training, and over 35,000 have been granted loans of up to ₹1 lakh, resulting in a total loan disbursement of ₹305.08 crore.
### Empowering Artisans with ‘Samman’, ‘Samarthya’, and ‘Samriddhi’
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is designed around the three core pillars of *‘Samman’ (Respect), *‘Samarthya’ (Capability)*, and *‘Samriddhi’ (Prosperity)*. Beneficiaries are awarded **PM Vishwakarma Certificates* and *ID cards* as a token of recognition, formally acknowledging their contribution to India’s rich cultural tapestry.
To enhance their *‘Samarthya’, beneficiaries undergo a high-quality, six-day skill upgradation program tailored to their specific trades. The training is delivered by master craftsmen, and participants receive a stipend of ₹500 per day, along with ₹1,000 for travel expenses. Additionally, a toolkit incentive of up to ₹15,000 is provided to enable artisans to adopt modern tools, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of their work. The **Ministry of MSME* has partnered with *India Post* to ensure that these toolkits are delivered directly to the artisans’ doorsteps.
The third pillar, *‘Samriddhi’, focuses on providing artisans with access to affordable credit and broader markets. Beneficiaries can avail of **collateral-free loans* of up to ₹3 lakh, split into two tranches, at a concessional interest rate of 5%. To further encourage digital transactions, the scheme offers a cashback incentive of Re. 1 for every digital transaction, up to a maximum of 100 transactions per month. This not only incentivizes digital literacy but also ensures greater financial inclusion for the artisans.
Market Access and E-commerce Onboarding
To boost the reach of artisans’ products, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme integrates a strong marketing component. Artisans are encouraged to connect with e-commerce platforms such as *Government e-Marketplace (GeM)* and *Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)*. The scheme also promotes quality certification, branding, and advertising to help these artisans access both domestic and international markets. These efforts are crucial in integrating traditional crafts into modern value chains, helping artisans expand their customer base and grow their businesses.
A New Era for India’s Artisans
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme is a transformative step towards reviving and empowering India’s traditional artisans and craftspeople. By offering skill development, financial assistance, and market access, the government is ensuring that these invaluable contributors to India’s cultural and economic heritage are not left behind. With over 17 lakh beneficiaries already onboarded, the scheme promises to reshape the future of traditional crafts, paving the way for a more prosperous and empowered artisan community.
(The author is Minister of State for Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Ministry of Labour & Employment)