Vishwakarma scheme, aims to give government support to workers engaged in traditional crafts and skills.
The scheme is also being seen as a means for the government to reach out to the economically marginalised and socially backward communities - particularly the Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups.
What is the Vishwakarma scheme?
The scheme has an outlay of Rs.13,000 crore and is fully funded by the central government. On this Vishwakarma Jayanti (17th September), Rs.13,000-15,000 crore will be given to the people who live with traditional skills, who work with tools and with their own hands, mostly from the OBC community. Be it our carpenters, our gold smiths, our masons, our laundry workers, our barber brothers, and sisters....".
Vishwakarma, in Hindu mythology, is seen as the architect of the gods and was the divine carpenter and master craftsman. He is considered the patron deity of workers, artisans, and artists.
Families associated with 18 such different sectors will be helped in all possible ways. These include: carpenters, boat makers, armourers, blacksmiths, hammer and tool kit makers, locksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptor, stone breakers, cobblers, masons (Rajmistri), coir weavers, traditional doll & toy makers, barbers, garland makers, washermen, tailors, and fishing net makers.
The scheme is to help enhance the skills of workers and help them avail loans easily.
Under the scheme, the Vishwakarma workers will be registered for free through Common Services Centres using the biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal. They will then be provided recognition through the PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training, a 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, among others.