The PM Vishwakarma Scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September this year has registered applications from 57,815 artisans and craftspeople as of December 18, according to the data shared by Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma, minister of state in the MSME Ministry in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
However, at the time of filing this report, 37.68 lakh applications were received, of which 77,630 applicants have been registered for benefits under the scheme while the remaining are under different stages of verification including gram panchayat level (5.30 lakh), district implementation committee (2.08 lakh) and screening committee (83,243), as per data from the scheme’s portal.
The scheme provides recognition to artisans and craftsmen, working with hand and tools in 18 different trades, through ID and certification. Additionally, the government provides basic skill training for seven days (40 hours), and advanced training for 15 days (120 hours), with a Rs 500 stipend per day during the training period.
Moreover, a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000 and a collateral-free loan of Rs 1 lakh in the first tranche, and Rs 2 lakh in the second tranche are also available. These loans are available at a concessional 5 per cent interest with an interest subvention cap of 8 per cent to be paid by the MSME Ministry.
The 18 traditional trades included by the government under the scheme are fishing net maker, tailor (darzi), washerman (dhobi), garland maker (malakaar), barber (nai), doll and toy maker (traditional), basket/ mat/ broom maker/ coir weaver, mason (rajmistri), cobbler (charmkar/shoesmith/footwear artisan), sculptor (moortikar/stone carver), stone breaker, potter (kumhaar), goldsmith (sonar), locksmith, hammer and tool kit maker, blacksmith (lohar), armourer, boat maker, carpenter (suthar).
To be eligible, the artisan or craftsperson working with hands and tools and engaged in one of the 18 trades should have a minimum age of 18 years on the date of registration, should not have availed loans under similar credit-based schemes by the central or state government, the registration and benefits under the scheme should be restricted to one member of the family and the person or his/her family members should not be employed in government service.