India's Handicraft Economy
PM Vishwakarma and Artisan Support
How the PM Vishwakarma scheme launched in 2023 gives traditional artisans training, toolkits and cheap loans, and debates over its design.
PM Vishwakarma supports traditional artisans.
Launch
Launched in September 2023.
Trades
18 trades, including carpenters, potters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, cobblers and tailors.
Benefits
- Recognition through a certificate and ID.
- Training with a daily stipend.
- A toolkit incentive.
- Collateral-free loans up to ₹3 lakh at low interest.
- Digital transaction and marketing support.
Debate
- Supporters: support for neglected artisans.
- Critics: some say it links support to family trades, which could reinforce caste occupations.
The potter's loan
A potter gets a cheap loan under PM Vishwakarma to buy an electric wheel.
Thinking artisans have no government support
Schemes like PM Vishwakarma help.
Key takeaways
- PM Vishwakarma launched in 2023.
- It covers 18 trades.
- It offers training, toolkits and cheap loans.
- Critics raise caste concerns.
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