Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 18: Expressing his pleasure over the decision of Union Government to launch ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojna’ to support traditional artisans and crafts people of rural and urban India, Sunil Prajapati, president BJP OBC Morcha, J&K today said with launching of the scheme it has revealed that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi totally concerned for the welfare of the people belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
The financial outlay of Rs.13,000 crore for a period of five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28) has been approved under the scheme for skill training and financial support for opening of skill outlets by the concerned people engaged or desirous to engage in the traditional skill profession mostly from the OBC community, Sunil Prajapati told reporters here, today.
Prajapati said the scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and crafts people working with their hands and tools. Besides, it aims at improving the quality, as well as the reach of products and services of artisans and craftspeople and to ensure that the Vishwakarmas are integrated with the domestic and global value chains, he added.
He said under PM Vishwakarma scheme, the artisans and craftspeople will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card, Credit Support upto Rs.1 lakh (First Tranche) and Rs.2 lakh (Second Tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5%. The Scheme will further provide skill upgradation, toolkit incentive, incentive for digital transactions and marketing support, he added.
Prajapati said 18 traditional trades will be covered in the first instance under PM Vishwakarma. These trades included carpenter, boat maker, armourer; blacksmith, hammer and tool kit maker, locksmith, goldsmith, potter , sculptor, stone carver, stone breaker, cobbler, footwear artisan, mason , basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver, doll and toy maker (traditional) , barber, garland maker, washer man, tailor and fishing net maker.
Prajapati also extended gratitude to the PM and the Union Government for extending welfare steps by the concerned ministries to secure representations of OBCs in employment and for their welfare in the employment sectors as Canara Bank, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) , Airport Authority of India and BSNL and MTNL. Earlier there was no reservation for OBCs in these sectors. The Union Government decision will enhance employment opportunities for the OBCs, he added.
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