PM Vishwakarma scheme to empower traditional artisans, craftsmen

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Sep 17: Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Food Processing, and Industries, Prahlad Singh Patel has stated that the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme will accord due respect to the traditional artisans and craftsmen. Patel made these remarks today in Shillong during the launch of the scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Minister emphasized that traditional artisans and craftsmen play an integral role in the society by preserving India’s centuries-old traditions and crafts but they are yet to receive the recognition they deserve, given their remarkable skills. Patel credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving the talented artisans their due right by launching the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme. He highlighted that this initiative would provide the necessary support and training to empower these essential members of our society.

He conveyed his best wishes on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti and remarked that it is dedicated to the traditional artisans and craftspeople. Thanking the Prime Minister for launching the scheme for the artisans of the country, Patel said, “It is a coincidence that it is also the birthday of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi who has been labouring to build a prosperous Bharat. This is a historic day in the development journey of India as the government has come forward as a partner to elevate the respect, enhance the capabilities, and grow the prosperity of the traditional artisans and craftsmen”

Enumerating the details of the scheme, the Minister said that during the next five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28 with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore, 18 focus areas of artisans and craftsmen – Carpenter, Boat Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Goldsmith, Potter, Sculptor, Stone breaker, 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 have been included in the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

They will be given 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 per cent, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support, he added.

‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme represents a perfect blend of India’s civilisational ethos and traditional craftsmanship. The scheme offers the option of earning livelihood while at the same time sustaining India’s age old Guru-Shishya Parampara, said the Minister.

Elaborating on the measures to impart training to the skilled artisans and professions, Patel informed that during training times Rs 500 per day allowance will be provided to the Artisan friends. He also said that a toolkit voucher worth 15 thousand rupees will be given for a modern toolkit and the government will help in branding, packaging and marketing of the products.

The products of the local artisans will also be made available in the Government e Marketplace (GeM) for better marketing of their products, he added. He requested the authorities to make awareness across the state so that people get to know more about the scheme and can get themselves benefitted.

CM inspects ongoing projects in WGH

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inspected several ongoing projects with Tura and its adjoining areas in West Garo Hills on Thursday.

He inspected the ongoing construction of the Tura Medical College at Doldegre, about 7 km from Tura town, where Tura Civil Hospital is located.

Reviewing the ongoing construction with officials of health department, Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills and officials of the construction company, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the pace of the construction is slow, which has been quickened recently.

“The civil works of the college should be completed by June-July next year. We are hopeful to complete the infrastructure and start the medical college. The process to increase the beds in Tura Civil Hospital will also start soon,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister has also directed Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani to hold regular reviews with the construction company and ensure that the college is completed within the coming year.

He also inspected the ongoing construction of Tura Youth Convention Centre, which is coming up at Dakopgre and also the Track and Field Stadium.

Expressing happiness over the ongoing construction of the sports and youth facilities, he said, “We expect that within 1.5 years, the stadium and the convention centre will be inaugurated. These two infrastructures will be a blessing for Tura town and the State as a whole as different kinds of sports, games and events of State and national level can be held in Tura in the near future.”

Construction of Tura Medical College in progress

Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has informed that the work for the construction of the Tura medical college is progressing.

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“We have about 45 per cent of physical progress. There are some problems (and) we are engaging with other nearby hospitals to ensure that we reach the mark of 450 beds as recommended by the MCI,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

She said that there were also certain problems with the availability of funds but that also has been sorted out.

The minister also announced that she will be visiting the construction site very shortly and said, “I am waiting for the model code of conduct to be completed quickly so I can begin to go on the ground to understand better but the Tura Medical College is progressing.

On the proposal to set up the Shillong medical college, Lyngdoh said that the government is yet to formulate a finalized approach and the matter has still to be taken to the cabinet adding that “but internal engagements are on”.

“We still require proper cabinet note to be sent proper projections to be made but yes Shillong medical college will probably change from the old proposal,” she said while adding that “We may have a PPP proposal as proposed earlier but not necessarily in Shillong but somewhere in this part of the state but all of this is being prepared now and it would be incorrect for me to divulge too much on that but one message which can go very clearly is that we are a concern and we are on the job and we will come up with a  proposal and a plan at the earliest.”

When asked, Lyngdoh said, “We want these institutions to be materialized within the timeline that was specified. I know that yes we were told to institute one and it has been done in the Garo region yes we have to institute something in the Khasi region or the Ri Bhoi region as well that is we are on the job and on the pipeline but we cannot spell it out with full authority as we are still at a discussion level and we still looking at what is the best way forward.”

Govt to review Shillong, Tura medical colleges

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 2: The state government will soon review the status of the proposed Shillong medical college and under-construction Tura medical college.

“We will be reviewing these matters sometime by mid-April,” Minister-in-charge of Health & Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh told reporters.

Lyngdoh said she is not completely privy to the status of the Shillong medical college but there are some problems regarding the location and that decision has to be first taken there.

“We will also have to ensure that this PPP formula that will be implemented in Shillong is a formula that will be good for the state of Meghalaya,” she asserted.

“Therefore, we will review the status (of the proposal) so that we have a better idea as there are so many components to a PPP model in a medical college. We would like to get the best deal out of the offers which have come before the state,” she added.

Lyngdoh further informed that the progress of the Tura medical college is satisfactory.

Last month, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had informed that talks are on for setting up of the Shillong Medical College in a public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

This was after the government had cancelled the MoU signed with the earlier partners for setting up the Shillong medical college after nothing moved even after 10 years have lapsed.

The government has already identified a land of 50 acres in the new city area where the medical college would be set up.

Earlier in his budget speech, the Chief Minister said his government is committed to establishing medical colleges in the state.

He informed that the physical progress of the Tura medical college is about 40 per cent and said, “We are taking steps to fast-track its construction.”

“The proposal for setting up a medical college in Shillong in PPP mode is being actively considered and we expect to initiate this project in 2023-24,” the CM had assured.