The Government of India has been trying to keep the age-old arts and traditional crafts alive, including boosting its economic status by different means. The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM-VIKAS) is a step towards developing the nation’s artisans to enhance the scope, calibre and reach of their goods. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the PM-VIKAS scheme during the Union Budget presentation. The scheme will also be implemented into the Micro, Small, and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSME) value chain. Steps will be taken to integrate the artisans and craftspersons with the MSME sector, which will enhance their opportunity to scale up their business.
The PM-VIKAS scheme aims to increase the potential of thousands of craftspeople and artists around the nation by providing technology, skills training, and the opening of credit lines. It seizes the prospects for progress and will contribute to India’s growth and development. The finance minister said that craftspeople and artisans are the true spirits of self-reliant and independent India. The scheme will significantly benefit the weaker sections and women of society. The scheme will work for the progress of skilled workers. It will help them showcase their abilities and receive recognition for their work with dedication. It is an opportunity for the craftsperson and artisans to contribute to the growth and development of the country.
The scheme will increase the calibre of artisans and the reach of their goods. Financial support will be provided to the artisans, and skills and training programs for age-old and traditional crafts. The scheme will encourage people to learn the art. The training programs will also provide skills related to using the latest technology by which the artisans can increase their productivity and profit. It will not disturb traditional practices but will enhance them. The government of India will also work to bring arts and crafts to international markets.
Different schemes for the empowerment of the artisans in India:
- Ambedkar Hatshilp Vikas Yojna- the program aims to empower the artisans’ community. Under the program, support is provided to the artisans through technology and integrated design development project, commercial market intelligence, and assistance to entrepreneurs and exporters for design prototypes. The yojana also supports human resource development, technology and infrastructure support, healthcare, etc.
- Mega cluster scheme- It is an approach to scaling up production and infrastructural chains at handicraft centres that have remained unorganized and need to keep up with modernization.
- Marketing support and services scheme- It provides interventions for domestic marketing events to artisans, such as providing financial assistance for participating and organizing marketing events in India.
- Research and development scheme- The schemes are based on research and evaluation conducted from time to time by a government in-house research and development team.
