216/2023-2024

Aizawl, the 17th September, 2023: In commemoration of Vishwakarma Jayanti and on the 73rd birth anniversary of Prime Minister of India Pu Narendra Modi, the launching programme of PM Vishwakarma Scheme was held at Vanapa Hall, Aizawl at 10:30 AM. The  inaugural event was also organised at more than seventy locations in different parts of the country. Pu B.L. Verma, MoS, Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India attended the program as the Chief Guest and Pu Lalruatkima, Minister, RD, I&PR, LR&S Departments, Govt. of Mizoram was the Guest of Honour which was attended by DoNER Ministry Officials, State Govt. Officials, local artisans and craftmen, among other.

Chief Guest Pu B.L Verma applaused the initiative taken up by the Union Government for bringing up the new scheme called PM Vishwakarma for upliftment of local artisans and traditional craftmen. He also elaborated the the aims and objectives of the scheme and urged the local artisans and traditional craftmen to avail the scheme and make use of it in a proper manner. He assured them that the Central Government in collaboration with the State Government will pay due recognition and provide appropriate support for them. He also highlighted various schemes undertaken by the DoNER Ministry.

Also speaking on the occasion, Guest of Honour I&PR Minister Pu Lalruatkima said that it was indeed a momentous day to launch PM Vishwakarma Scheme to support local artisans, craftmen and small businessmen. Support provided to them through the scheme will not only contribute to preservaion of cultural practices, but also provide an identity and recognition to them, he added. He thanked all tha stakeholders for their sincere efforts and commitment to scale up the unorganised sector and boost up their business. He requested people to embrace the newly introduced scheme as their own and foster collective action to make the scheme a resounding success.

Pu Lalmalsawma Pachuau, Secretary to the Govt. of Mizoram, Planning & Programme Implementation Department delivered the welcome remarks followed by a short speeches from Pu R. Lalramnghaka, Secretary to the Govt. of Mizoram, Commerce & Industries Department  and Shri Angshuman Dey, Joint Secretary, Minitry of DoNER. Dr. Renu Sharma, Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Mizoram gave keynote address on the occasion.

Also the gathering along with the rest of the country joined the nationwide launching programme held at India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC)/Yashabhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi via live streaming which was attended by the Prime Minister of India. Pu Pratap Chhetri, Deputy Director, I& PR Department summed up the Prime Minister's speech in Mizo after the end of PM's speech, Pu Lalramsanga Sailo, Secretary to the Govt. of Mizoram, Labour, Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (LESDE) proposed vote of thanks and concluded the programme.

The new scheme called PM Vishwakarma 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. The  inaugural event was also organised at more than seventy locations in different parts of the country. Union Government had recently allotted ₹13,000 crore for the scheme and to begin with 18 traditional trades are included by Government of India under PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise is the Nodal Ministry. Multiple implementation activities planned under the scheme includes identification & verification of beneficiaries, their mobilization for skill up-gradation training, facilitating credit support and marketing support  to enable them to move up the value-chain. Under this scheme artisans and craftmen can register in the PM Vishwakarma Portal using biometrics, obtain PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card to avail benefits under the scheme.