Prime Minister Modi launches 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme to provide artisans financial assistance
Sunday, 17 September 2023 (18:37 IST)
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a new scheme "PM Vishwakarma" at the International Convention and Expo Centre, Yashobhoomi, in New Delhi on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti.
Speaking at the event, Modi said, "PM Vishwakarma Yojana is an effort to take Vishwakarma associates into the modern era, an effort to increase their capabilities.
He said that technology, tools and training are very important for Vishwakarma brothers and sisters and under the scheme, the government will provide loans up to Rs 3 lakh without any (bank) guarantee.
"The governmet has decided that Rs 1 lakh loan will be given in the beginning and when it is repaid, the government will provide additional Rs 2 lakh loan to the Vishwakarma partners" he added.
"With changing times, new sectors of development and employment are also created. 50-60 years ago no one could have even thought of such a big IT industry. Today another big sector is being formed in the world, which has immense possibilities for India" PM Modi said.
He said the Vishwakarmas have been at the root of India's prosperity for thousands of years and the scheme is a ray of hope for lakhs of artisans and craftspeople who work with hands and tools.
"Training, technology and tools are crucial for our artisans," he said.
The Prime Minister said, the scheme focuses on Vishwakarmas working under 18 different sectors and the government is going to spend Rs 13,ooo crores on it.
Prime Minister Modi also dedicated India International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) - YashoBhoomi - to the nation at Dwarka in the national capital.
Yasho Bhoomi will find its place among the world’s largest MICE facilities with a total project area of over 8.9 lakh square metres and a total built-up area of more than 1.8 lakh square metres. MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.
Talking about the significance of the Yashobhoomi, PM Modi said, "The vision of having a world-class infrastructure for hosting meetings, conferences, and exhibitions will be strengthened with the operationalisation of Phase 1 of the India International Convention and Expo Centre called ‘Yashobhomi’.
"A few days ago we saw how Bharat Mandapam has been discussed all over the world. This International Exhibition Centre-Yashobhoomi - is taking the tradition forward with greater grandeur" he said.
The Convention Centre, built across more than 73 thousand square metres of area, comprises 15 convention rooms. These include the main Auditorium, the grand Ballroom, and 13 meeting rooms with a total capacity of holding 11 thousand delegates.
The Prime Minister took the metro from Dhaula Kuan to reach Dwarka IICC and inaugurated the extension of the Delhi Airport Metro Express line from Dwarka Sector 21 to a new metro station at Dwarka Sector 25. (UNI)
