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.

Court to decide on relocation from Sweepers’ Colony

Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Urban Affairs Sniawbhalang Dhar has informed that the state government has filed an affidavit before the Meghalaya High Court with regards to the proposal for relocating the 342 families of Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
Dhar told reporters today that now the matter is left to the court to decide.

The minister said that the government will also sit in a few days and take a call on the matter.

According to him, this was after the Harijan Panchayat Committee (HPC) had rejected the government’s proposal to relocate the Sweepers’ Colony from Them Iew Mawlong to the existing land of the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB).

Dhar however said that the government will always welcome the HPC if they want to discuss the matter.

On April 24, the Meghalaya High Court had deferred the hearing on the issue to June 7.

The order was passed by the division bench based on the request made by the state government and the HPC during the hearing held here.
The government had come up with a blueprint after rejecting the April 25,2022-proposal of the HPC that 200 square meters of land be provided to each of the 342 families within the European ward besides bearing the cost of construction of their homes.

In its recent 6-page reply sent to the Deputy Secretary of the Government of Meghalaya and other concerned departments, the HPC had alleged that the government’s proposal was “incomplete, unsuitable, unprepared, unfair and undemocratic.”

The HPC had also stated in its reply that “There are serious lacunae, sweeping and undesirable conclusions in the approach and attitude of the High-Level Committee of the Meghalaya government.”

“We are absolutely devastated that since the formation of the new government, ministers, MLAs and certain groups have been making unnecessary remarks saying that the whole issue would be resolved within the month of April. What magical trick do they have up their sleeve to resolve the issue within days? The matter is sub-judice and they are only paying lip service to respect for the judiciary. We will not buckle under political duress,” it had also added.