Mangaluru
For the first time, a substantial financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore has been allocated to uplift artisans and craftspersons across the country, encompassing 18 traditional trades in the inaugural phase, said Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
The Minister shared the benefits of the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The new scheme intends to provide recognition and holistic support to the traditional artisans and craftsmen working with their hands and elementary tools, so as to improve the quality, scale and reach of their products and also to integrate them with MSME value chains. As many as 18 traditional trades are included under PM Vishwakarma Yojana, including fishing net maker, tailor, washerman, garland maker, barber, doll and toy maker (traditional), basket/mat/broom maker, coir weaver, mason, cobbler, sculptor, stone breaker, potter, goldsmith, locksmith, hammer and tool kit maker, blacksmith, armourer, boat maker and carpenter.
The roles of net makers and boat makers in the development of small-scale industries and the fisheries sector are imperative; they play a vital role in the smooth functioning of the fishing industry and serve as the backbone of Indian marine fisheries.
Rupala said that the credit support of Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) with a concession interest rate of 5 percent will empower traditional artisans and craftspeople, financially. Multiple implementation activities have been planned under the scheme, including identification and verification of beneficiaries, their mobilisation for skill upgradation training, facilitating credit support, marketing support and so on to enable them to move up the value chain. MLA D Vedavyasa Kamath and Minister for Fisheries, Port, Inland Water Transport Mankal Vaidya were present.
