Lucknow: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’, a scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 to make the artisans (Vishwakarma) of Uttar Pradesh self-reliant, has received nearly 76,000 applications in all 18 trades so far.
The verification of these applications is currently in progress. Following the directives of the Yogi government, the first-level verification process is ongoing in several zones, while second-level verification has begun in others.
Once the verification is complete, training of the selected Vishwakarmas will commence and an amount of Rs 15,000 will be provided to each of them in the form of e-voucher for the purchase of toolkit. Additionally, efforts will be made to facilitate loans to them through banks.
Maximum applications received in ‘tailoring trade’
Under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, the state government has received a total of 76,000 applications in all trades, with the maximum number, over 42,000 applications, received in tailoring. Similarly, approximately 9,000 applications were received in mechanics, nearly 7,000 in the carpentry, and around 4,000 in the blacksmith trade.
Besides, more than 2,600 applications have been received in the barber trade, over 1,500 in the malakar, and more than 1,300 in the hammer and tool kit making trade. Over a thousand applications have also been received each in washerman and toy making trades.
UP govt to start providing up to Rs 1 lakh to ‘Vishwakarmas’ through banks
Moreover, a good number of applications have also been received in fishing net making, basket making and cobbler trades. The verification work of all these applications is ongoing, and after successful verification, these applicants will be integrated into skill development. Following this, economic assistance will be provided to make them self-reliant.
Three-tier verification process
Under the PM Vishwakarma scheme, the beneficiaries will need to follow a defined process to avail the benefits. Firstly, applicants need to apply, after which a three-level verification process will take place at the local (Panchayat or ULB), district, and state levels. Beneficiaries will receive the PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card as a result. Their details will also be sent to the MSDE.
Following this, they will undergo five days of basic skill training and receive certificates. Selected individuals will further have the opportunity to undertake advanced skill training for 15 days or more, receiving an advanced skills certificate. After these steps, beneficiaries will receive an incentive of Rs 15,000 to buy toolkits.
Additionally, information about applying for Rs 1 lakh initial financial portion will be shared with banks. After examining the credit report, banks will provide beneficiaries with Rs 1 lakh loan. Beneficiaries who make digital transactions and have received 15 days of advanced training will be eligible to apply for a second loan of Rs 2 lakh.
Digital payments are being encouraged
The state government is also encouraging beneficiaries for digital payment of loans. For this, details will be given to digital payment aggregators to enable digital transactions. Beneficiaries will be provided with QR codes and UPI details to enable them to conduct digital transactions. Beneficiaries’ transaction details will be shared with the Ministry of MSME along with NPCI.
Subsequently, an incentive of Re 1 per transaction will be provided to each beneficiary. It is worth noting that the government has planned to allocate Rs 250 crores for quality certification, branding, advertising, publicity, and other marketing initiatives under this scheme.
