Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha attended the launch ceremony of ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, virtually at the UT-level function organized in Srinagar.
The Lt Governor expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for the transformative initiative.
He said the scheme will directly benefit thousands of artisans and craftspeople of J&K UT working with their hands and tools.
“Our outstanding artisans with creativity and hard work have not only preserved the priceless heritage, diverse culture and traditions but also kept the wheels of socio-economic growth moving. These hardworking hands are the strength of the progressive society,” the Lt Governor said.
PM Vishwakarma Scheme honours the traditional skills of craftspeople and their exemplary commitment and dedication. It will ensure the Vishwakarmas are provided with financial assistance and skill upgradation and they are integrated with national and global value chains, he added.
Traditionally, Vishwakarmas are considered as the drivers of growth. They are the personification of artistic power, lords of the arts, creators of diverse crafts and builders of enterprises. Unfortunately, the discriminatory system in J&K that existed here for decades has imprisoned the aspirations of communities engaged in traditional skills, the Lt Governor said.
Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we are working with the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas & Sabka Prayas” to empower poor, deprived sections of society. I am confident ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ will bring revolutionary transformation in the lives of our Vishwakarma,” the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor highlighted the key initiatives taken by the UT Administration for the socio-economic development of the families engaged in traditional skills and handicrafts and handloom sectors.
Handloom and Handicrafts are emerging as two very important pillars of our economy. The Government has recognized more than 29 other crafts and brought them under the ambit of the handicrafts and the handloom sector. With the continuous support and guidance from the Hon’ble Prime Minister, we have been successful in doubling the exports of handicrafts and handloom, he said.
The Lt Governor also called upon all the sections of society to identify and isolate the elements trying to disrupt peace and development.
Conflict profiteers have constructed their houses in foreign countries, sent their children abroad for studies and made the poor suffer. We have decimated that ecosystem and dismantled the network of such conflict profiteers. We have overcome many challenges in the last three years to bring peace and prosperity in the life of the common man, the Lt Governor said.
The Lt Governor also highlighted the efforts to bring transparency and accountability in the governance process.
Those who never allowed talent, merit and hard work to flourish, now have problems with the transparent, honest and accountable system. I want to tell them that under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the rights of people will always be safeguarded, only merit will be promoted and the ecosystem of good governance and transparency will be further strengthened, he said.
Sh Kaushal Kishore, Union Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs called for connecting maximum traditional artists and craftspeople with the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.
The Union MoS commended the progress registered by Jammu Kashmir under various schemes and also assured all support and assistance to the women folks in establishing industrial units.
Sh Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, a tailor from Srinagar received a Vishwakarma ID Card and Certificate from the Hon’ble Prime Minister in Delhi. He is an expert in traditional Pheran. He has been working for the last 40 years with the single-minded pursuit of excellence in this traditional art.
PM Vishwakarma will be fully funded by the Union Government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore.
Under the scheme, the Vishwakarma will be registered free of charge through Common Services Centres using the biometric-based PM Vishwakarma portal. They will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, skill upgradation involving basic and advanced training, toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000, collateral-free credit support up to Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
The Scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice and cover the eighteen traditional crafts including Carpenter, Boat Maker, Armourer, Blacksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Locksmith, Goldsmith, Potter, Sculptor, Stonebreaker, Cobbler (Shoesmith/ Footwear artisan), Mason (Rajmistri), Basket/Mat/Broom Maker/Coir Weaver, Doll & Toy Maker (Traditional), Barber, Garland maker, Washerman, Tailor and Fishing Net Maker.
Sh Aftab Malik, Chairman, District Development Council Srinagar; Sh. Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner/Secretary Science & Technology; Sh Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce; Sh R K Dhiman, ADG, CPWD, HoDs, Political leaders, officers of UT administration, a large number of craftspeople and artisans were present at the UT level function.
