New Delhi — Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a landmark scheme called Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana (PM Vikas Yojana) on his birthday, September 17th. The program aims to provide financial inclusion to small artisans, particularly those in rural areas, by offering vocational training and loans up to Rs 3 lakh.
The scheme will initially target 18 different types of artisans, including carpenters, boat and canoe makers, blacksmiths, locksmiths, potters, sculptors, cobblers, barbers, basket or broom makers, tailors, washermen, gardeners, fishermen, and traditional toy, gold, and silver jewelry makers.
To qualify for the benefits, artisans must meet specific criteria:
- One beneficiary per family.
- The beneficiary must be at least 18 years old.
- They should not have availed benefits from schemes like PMEGP or PM Swanidhi for self-employment or business development loans in the past five years.
- Beneficiaries of the Mudra and Svanidhi schemes who have fully repaid their loans are eligible.
- Families of government employees are excluded from the scheme.
How to Register
Artisans can register for the scheme on the official Aadhaar web portal. Alternatively, they can register at Common Service Centers by providing proof of Aadhaar and Ration Cards.
Benefits Under the Scheme
Once registered, artisans will receive a PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card to help them expand their businesses, especially in rural areas. Upon completion of skill verification, a toolkit worth Rs 15,000 will be provided. A stipend of Rs 500 will be offered during basic and advanced training. After successful training, artisans will receive an unsecured loan of Rs 1 lakh, with an option to avail of an additional Rs 2 lakh if the initial loan is repaid on time.
The Prime Minister is set to launch the program on September 17th in Vadodara, with additional events planned in other major cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot. The program underscores the government's commitment to uplifting artisans and integrating them into the mainstream economy.
