Union Cabinet approves new Central Sector Scheme ‘PM Vishwakarma’ to support traditional artisans and craftspeople of rural and urban India

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved a new core sector scheme ‘PM Vishwakarma’ with a financial outlay of Rs.13,000 crore for a period of five years (2023-24 to 2027 -28 ). The scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family practice of traditional skills by artisans and artisans working with their hands and tools. The scheme also aims to improve the quality as well as the reach of the products and services of artisans and artisans and to ensure that Vishwakarmas are integrated with national and global value chains.

Under the PM Vishwakarma program, artisans and artisans will receive recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, Credit support up to Rs.1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs.2 lakh (second tranche) with a soft interest rate of 5%. The program will also provide skills refresher, toolkit incentive, digital transaction incentive, and marketing support.

The scheme will provide support to artisans and artisans from rural and urban areas across India. Eighteen traditional crafts will be covered in the first instance under PM Vishwakarma. These trades include (i) Carpenter (Suthar); (ii) Boat builder; (iii) Gunsmith; (iv) Blacksmith (Lohar); (v) Hammer and tool kit maker; (vi) Blacksmith; (vii) Goldsmith (Sonar); (viii) Potter (Kumhaar); (ix) Sculptor (Moortikar, stonemason), stonecutter; (x) cobbler (Charmkar)/cobbler/shoe maker; (xi) Freemason (Rajmistri); (xii) coir basket/mat/broom/weaver maker; (xiii) Doll and toy maker (traditional); (xiv) Barber (Naai); (xv) Garland Maker (Malakaar); (xvi) washerman (Dhobi); (xvii) Tailor (Darzi); and (xviii) Fishing net maker.

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