Bhubaneswar: A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Vishwakarma Yojana from the ramparts of Red Fort, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Rs 13,000-cr scheme to support those engaged in traditional skills.
Under the scheme, craftsmen will get credit support up to Rs 1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs 2 lakh (second tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5%.
Announcing the details, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Vishwakarma Yojana will benefit 30 lakh craftsmen families. “Under the scheme, artisans and craftspeople will be provided loan up to Rs 1 lakh at 5% interest. This will be the first tranche. In the second tranche, credit support up to Rs 2 lakh will be provided, ” he said.
Apart from this, advanced skill training will be provided under the scheme. While Rs 500 stipend will be provided for skill training and Rs 1500 will be given to purchase modern tools. There will also be incentive for digital transactions and marketing support.
Vaishnaw further said that registration for the scheme can be done at common services centres in villages.
Eighteen traditional trades will be covered in the first instance.
