Staff Reporter
Guwahati: The PM Vishwakarma Scheme of the Government of India is yet to gather the desired momentum in Assam. The number of beneficiaries registered for the scheme is much less than the applications made by artisans intending to benefit from it.
According to available information, a total of 7,21,568 applications were submitted across Assam in the period from September 17, 2023, to January 31, 2025. Applications go through a three-phase verification process before final registration for the scheme. Of the 7,21,568 applications submitted, the figure for applicants registered is 1,06,173. The highest successful registration was recorded in the Nagaon district, with 19,836 applicants registered, followed by Kamrup district with 16,833 registrations.
It is significant to note that not a single application was successfully registered in the districts of Baksa, Biswanath, Charaideo, Hojai, Karbi Anglong, Tamulpur, and West Karbi Anglong. However, no applications were submitted in Tamulpur, so the question of registration does not arise.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme was launched on September 17, 2023, to provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople of 18 traditional trades like carpenters, blacksmiths, potters, etc., who work with their hands and tools.
Under the skill component of the scheme, beneficiaries are given basic training of 5-7 days and advanced training of 15 days free of cost. During the training period, beneficiaries are paid a stipend of Rs.500 per day as wage compensation, along with travel expenses of Rs.1,000.
Among the benefits of the scheme extended to the artisans is a 'Toolkit Incentive', under which a grant of Rs 15,000 is provided to help artisans procure modern tools.
Enterprise Development Loans are also provided to beneficiaries, entailing collateral-free loans offered in two tranches: Rs 1 lakh for the first tranche (18-month repayment) and Rs 2 lakh for the second tranche (30-month repayment), at a concessional interest rate of 5%.
At the national level, the implementation of the scheme is monitored through regular meetings of the National Steering Committee (NSC), which is chaired by the respective secretaries in the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
Under the scheme, various outreach programmes, trade fairs and state-level exhibitions are organized across the country to spread awareness about the benefits of the scheme, with funding from the Government of India. These initiatives aim to reach artisans, including those in remote and inaccessible areas.
Also read: Assam: Awareness programme on PM Vishwakarma Scheme organized in Tezpur
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