Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched the 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme and emphasised that in the future, technology, tools, and training will be essential.

"In the near future, training, technology, and tools will be very essential. Under the 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme, the government has focused on providing special training to the Vishwakarma partners, and Rs 500 will be provided to you while the training is underway. You will also get a Toolkit voucher worth Rs 1,500. The government will also help you with branding, packaging, and marketing the products you make. In return, the government wants you to purchase toolkits from shops that are GST registered only."

Modi, who also inaugurated the international exhibition centre 'Yashobhoomi' at Dwarka in the national capital, further said, "Today the nation has got the International Exhibition Centre Yashobhoomi. The kind of work done here displays the penances of my Vishwakarma brothers. I declare this centre to every Vishwakarma of the nation. This is going to be helpful to the Vishwakarmas. This will be a vibrant centre to help Indian art and handicrafts reach the global level. This will play a huge role in making local products global. The way the spine is essential in our body, our Vishwakarmas are essential for society. Everyday life is unimaginable without them."

He added that "today, it is the need of the hour to recognise our Vishwakarma partners and support them in every possible way. Our government is working for the development of our Vishwakarma partners. Under this scheme, Vishwakarma partners working in 18 different sectors will be targeted. The government is going to spend Rs 13,000 crore on the PM Vishwakarma' scheme."

On the Vishwakarma scheme, he said, "Today is Vishwakarma Jayanti. This day is dedicated to the artisans and craftspersons of the country. I want to extend my wishes to the people of the country on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti. I am happy that I got the opportunity to join our Vishwakarma members today. 'The PM Vishwakarma' scheme has been launched today, which will emerge as a ray of hope for artists and craftspersons."

"Under the scheme, the government will provide up to Rs 3 lakh in loans without any bank guarantee. It has also been ensured that the interest rate is also very low. The government has decided that a Rs 1 lakh loan will be given in the beginning, and when it is repaid, the government will provide an additional Rs 2 lakh loan to the Vishwakarma partners," he informed.

On the convention centre, Modi said, "Conference tourism is rising in the world, which has unlimited possibilities for India. The conference tourism industry is worth more than Rs 25 lakh crore in the world. Every year in the world, more than 32,000 big exhibitions and expos take place. Countries with a population of 2–5 crores also arrange it; our population is 140 crores. People coming for conference tourism spend more money than usual tourists... India's participation is only 1 percent in this industry. Today's new India is preparing itself for conference tourism. Adventure, medical, spiritual, and heritage tourism happen only where there is a necessary environment. Similarly, conference tourism will also take place where there are facilities for events and meetings. Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi will make Delhi the biggest hub of conference tourism."

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman were also present on the occasion. (IANS)

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