PM Narendra Modi launches Rs 13,000-crore 'PM Vishwakarma scheme'

Indians need to be “vocal for local” products and then help them achieve global status, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday at the launch of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. The scheme, with an initial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore, will provide a global market for traditional crafts and products, and will enable local artisans to become part of the global supply chain, he added while also inaugurating the first phase of India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC), Yashobhoomi, on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, which happens to be his 73rd birthday, Modi took a metro ride from the Dhaula Kuan station to the newly built Yashobhoomi Dwarka Sector 25 metro station to unveil a plaque at the new station marking the nearly two-km extension of the Airport Line. 

Birthday greetings poured in for the prime minister with leaders across party lines, prominent personalities, and common people wishing him good health and a long life. To mark the same, the Bharatiya Janata Party launched a 'Seva Pakhwara (fortnight)' from Sunday to October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to reach out to different sections of society with a host of welfare initiatives.

“The demand for intricate work [done by hands] is increasing in the world. Nowadays we see that even big companies give their work to other small companies to make their products. This is a huge industry all over the world. The work of outsourcing should also go to the Vishwakarma friends of ours [and] you should become a part of the global supply chain. Therefore, this scheme is an attempt to take Vishwakarma skills into the modern era, an attempt to increase [your] capabilities,” the PM said while addressing the crowd.

The 18 types of identified artisans and craftsmen include carpenters, boat makers, blacksmiths, hammers and tool kit makers, locksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors, stone breakers, cobblers, shoesmiths, masons, coir weavers, traditional toy makers, barber garland makers, washermen and tailors.

Under the scheme, the beneficiaries will be provided with a credit support of up to Rs 3 lakh at an interest of 5 per cent in two tranches of Rs 1 lakh, which has to be repaid within 18 months and a second tranche of Rs 2 lakh. Artisans and craftsmen will also be paid a stipend of Rs 500 per day for skill upgrade and training for a period of five days and Rs 15,000 for procuring modern tools from GST registered shops. 

Rs 25K cr potential of conference tourism

Built at the cost of Rs 5,400 crore, Phase 1 of India International Convention and Expo Centre —Yashobhoomi — has a total built-up area of more than 180,000 square metres, and will find its place among the world’s largest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities. It boasts of a convention centre, multiple exhibition halls and other facilities.

Talking about the future of conference tourism, Modi said the sector holds immense potential for India and informed that it is worth more than Rs 25,000 crore.

He highlighted that more than 32,000 big exhibitions and expos are organised in the world every year, where people coming for conference tourism spend more money than an ordinary tourist. India's share in such a big industry is only around one per cent and many big companies in India go to foreign lands every year to organise their events.

He further emphasised that India is also preparing itself for conference tourism now.

3-layer verification for Vishwakarma scheme

“Training, technology and tools are very essential for our Vishwakarma [artisans] and the government is laying great emphasis on providing training to them. The government will help in every way from branding and packaging to marketing of the goods you make. To expand the business, the government has also taken care that there is no problem of initial capital and [hence] loan will be provided at a very low interest rate,” the PM added. 

Common service centres will be set up in rural areas for registrations, and beneficiaries will be finalised at the district level by state governments by having a three-layer verification system at the gram panchayat level, district level and state level. Artisans and craftspeople will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and an ID card.

Speaking at the event, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that not only the people belonging to the traditional Vishwakarma communities will be eligible under the scheme, but anybody working with hands and tools will be able to avail the benefits of the scheme. 

“Apart from training and skilling, the Vishwakarmas will also be integrated into the government e-marketplace (GeM), which will allow traditional products to be exhibited there,” she added. 

PM Vishwakarma will give more strength and will empower the traditional craftspeople and will enable the goal of a five trillion dollar economy and a developed India, said skill development minister Dharmender Pradhan at the event.