Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch the Central Sector Scheme PM-VISHWAKARMA on 17th September 2023 at New Delhi. The new scheme intends to provide recognition and holistic support to the traditional artisans & craftsmen working with their hands and elementary tools, so as to improve the quality, scale and reach of their products and also to integrate them with MSME value chains.

Under the whole-of–the government approach, the event would also be organised at about seventy locations in different parts of the country to spread wider awareness among beneficiaries tomorrow. Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala will be the Chief Guest in the historic event organized by Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying at Manglore, Karnataka tomorrow. Shri Parshottam Rupala will address the gathering and interact with the beneficiaries on the occasion.

Speaker, Karnatatka Legislative Assembly, Shri U.T.Khadar Fareed; Minister of Health and Family Welfare Government of Karnataka and Dakhina Kannada District In-charge Minister, Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao; Minister of Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport Government of Karnataka, Shri. Mankala S Vaidya; Member of Parliament, Dakshina Kannada Constituency, Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel and Member of Rajya Sabha Shri. D. Veerendra Heggade will also be present on the occasion.

The Other distinguished guests on the occasion will be Member of Legislative Assembly, Mangalore North, Dr. Bharath Shetty Y.;  Member of Legislative Assembly, Belthangady, Shri Harish Poonja; Member of Legislative Assembly, Bantwal, Shri Rajesh Naik U; Member of Legislative Assembly, Moodabidre, Shri Umanatha A. Kotian; Member of Legislative Assembly, Mangalore South, Shri D.Vedavyas Kamath; Member of Legislative Assembly, Puttur,Shri Ashok Kumar Rai; Member of Legislative Assembly, Sullia,Kumari Bhagirathi Murulya; Member of Legislative Council, Shri Kota Shrinivas Poojary; Member of Legislative Council,Shri B. M. Farooq; Member of Legislative Council, Shri K. Harish Kumar; Member of Legislative Council, Shri S. L. Bhoje Gowda; Member of Legislative Council, Shri Prathap Simha Nayak K.; Member of Legislative Council, Shri Manjunath Bhandari and Mayor, Mangaluru City Corporation, Shri Sudheer Shetty.

Senior officers from Department of Fisheries- Govt. of India & Govt. of Karnataka, MSME and NFDB will also be present during the event. This occasion will be special as more than 600 artisans & craftsmen will witness  from Dr. TMA Pai International convention centre, Mangalore, including traditional boat makers, fishing net makers, goldsmiths, carpenters, sculptures, tailors and potters and rest will join virtually.

The arts and crafts of India are distinct, rich in antiquity, values and conviction. Traditional Artisans and Craftsmen, customarily called as ‘Vishwakarmas’, work in an artistic capacity, both creating items with their hands using traditional tools and techniques. The Vishwakarmas are the builders of this country. The Union Cabinet of India, on 16^th of August 2023, took a visionary decision for the traditional artisans & craftsmen, by giving its nod to implement a new scheme namely “PM Vishwakarma Yojana” in whole of India.

18 Traditional Trades are included by Government of India under PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Fishing Net Maker, Tailor (Darzi), Washerman (Dhobi), Garland Maker (Malakaar), Barber (Nai), Doll and Toy Maker (Traditional), Basket/ Mat/ Broom Maker/ Coir Weaver, Mason (Rajmistri), Cobbler (Charmkar/ Shoesmith/ Footwear Artisan), Sculptor (Moortikar/Stone Carver), Stone Breaker, Potter (Kumhaar), Goldsmith (Sonar), Locksmith, Hammer and Tool Kit Maker, Blacksmith (Lohar), Armourer, Boat Maker, Carpenter (Suthar). The roles of net makers and boat makers in development of small-scale industries and fisheries sector are imperative; they play a vital role in the smooth functioning of our fishing industry and serve as backbone of Indian marine fisheries. 

Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise is the nodal ministry of PM Vishwakarma Yojana. Multiple implementation activities planned under the scheme includes identification & verification of beneficiaries, their mobilization for skill up-gradation training, facilitating credit support, marketing support, etc. to enable them to move up the value-chain. Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India is firmly committed to impart active support and cooperation for implementation of the Scheme for wellbeing of the Vishwakarmas in the fisheries sector.

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SK/SS/SM