Context: Recently launched, the PM Vishwakarma scheme, introduced during his Independence Day speech a month earlier, is a transformative initiative that holds great significance for artisans and craftsmen across India.

About Vishwakarma

• Vishwakarma, a revered figure in Hindu mythology, is regarded as the divine architect of the gods, a master craftsman, and a divine carpenter.

• He is celebrated as the patron deity of workers, artisans, and artists, responsible for crafting the gods’ weapons, cities, and chariots.

• The scheme takes its name from this emblematic figure, symbolizing the recognition and empowerment of skilled laborers.

What is the Vishwakarma scheme?

• The Vishwakarma scheme is a new government initiative fully funded by the central government and has a budgetary allocation of Rs 13,000 crore.

• The scheme is designed to address the challenges faced by professionals engaged in traditional crafts and skills, often passed down through generations within their families.

• This includes artisans such as carpenters, goldsmiths, masons, laundry workers, barbers, and others engaged in traditional crafts and skills.

• The scheme has ambitious coverage goals, aiming to support five lakh families in the first year and eventually reaching 30 lakh families over five years.

• It also seeks to integrate Vishwakarmas into both domestic and global value chains.

Eligibility Criteria

• Workers engaged in traditional crafts and skills are eligible.

Emphasis is placed on individuals facing specific challenges, such as:

• Lack of access to modern tools and equipment.

• Absence of professional training for their work.

• Geographical distance from markets relevant to their craft.

• Limited availability of capital for investment in their trade.

• The scheme particularly targets marginalized and socially backward communities, including the Other Backward Classes (OBC) groups.

• Eligible individuals may include those who have acquired their skills through family traditions or apprenticeships. Top of Form

Benefits offered by the Vishwakarma Scheme

• Free Registration: Vishwakarma workers can register for free through Common Services Centers using the biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal.

• Recognition: Workers will receive recognition through the PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card.

• Skill Upgradation: The scheme offers both basic and advanced training to improve the skills of artisans.

• Toolkit Incentive: Artists will receive a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000

• Collateral-Free Credit: Workers can avail of collateral-free credit support up to Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%.

• Digital Transactions Incentive: The scheme provides incentives for digital transactions and offers marketing support.

• Toolkit Booklet: To keep artisans informed about new technologies in their field, a toolkit booklet has been released in 12 Indian languages, accompanied by video elements.

• Additional benefits: Other benefits include a stipend of Rs 500 for skill training and Rs 1,500 to purchase modern tools.

Common challenges faced by professionals engaged in traditional crafts and skills

• Lack of Access to Modern Tools and Equipment: Many professionals in traditional crafts may not have access to modern tools and equipment, limiting the efficiency and quality of their work.

• Limited Professional Training: Traditional artisans often learn their skills through family traditions or apprenticeships, which may not provide formal professional training, potentially resulting in outdated techniques.

• Limited Capital for Investment: Traditional craftsmen may face difficulties in securing capital for purchasing materials, tools, or expanding their businesses, which can constrain their growth.

• Inadequate Recognition and Marketing: Traditional artisans may struggle with marketing and promoting their products effectively, leading to challenges in reaching a broader customer base.

• Competition from Mass Production: The rise of mass-produced goods can threaten traditional artisans who produce handcrafted items, impacting their livelihoods.

• Skills Preservation and Succession: Ensuring the preservation of traditional skills and passing them on to the next generation can be a challenge, as younger generations may not always be interested in pursuing these crafts.

• Financial Insecurity: Irregular income patterns common in traditional crafts can lead to financial instability, especially due to seasonal demand or market fluctuations.

Significance of the Vishwakarma Scheme

• Empowering Traditional Artisans: The Vishwakarma Scheme is significant as it aims to empower and uplift traditional artisans and craftsmen engaged in various trades. It recognizes their importance in India’s cultural and economic fabric.

• Social and Economic Inclusion: The scheme targets marginalized communities, especially the OBC groups, and provides them with opportunities for skill development and financial support, thereby promoting social and economic inclusion.

• Preserving Cultural Heritage: By supporting traditional crafts and skills, the scheme contributes to the preservation of India’s rich cultural heritage. It ensures that age-old craftsmanship is not lost to modernization.

• Recognition and Certification: The scheme provides recognition to artisans through the PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, boosting their status and recognition in society.

• Financial Security: By offering collateral-free credit support and financial incentives, the scheme provides financial security to artisans, helping them invest in their crafts and improve their livelihoods.

• Digital Integration: Encouraging digital transactions and offering incentives for digital business practices promotes financial literacy and inclusion among traditional artisans.

• Integration with Global Value Chains: By aiming to integrate Vishwakarmas with domestic and global value chains, the scheme opens up opportunities for artisans to access broader markets and participate in the global economy.

Conclusion

• The PM Vishwakarma scheme represents a significant step toward empowering traditional craftsmen by providing them with the tools, training, and financial support they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. As this scheme unfolds, it holds the potential to transform the lives of countless skilled workers and contribute to the nation’s growth and development.