The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the National PM Vishwakarma Program in Wardha, Maharashtra today. The Prime Minister launched the ‘Acharya Chanakya Skill Development ’ scheme and ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme’. He released certificates and loans to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries and also released a commemorative stamp dedicated to mark one year of progress under PM Vishwakarma. Shri Modi laid the foundation stone of PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park at Amravati, Maharashtra. The Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister recalled the Vishwakarma Puja celebrations two days ago and said that today the festival of successful completion of one year PM Vishwakarma scheme is taking place here in Wardha. He underlined that today is special as Mahatma Gandhi had started the campaign against untouchability in 1932 on this day. He remarked that the completion of one year PM Vishwakarma today and its celebrations from the land of Wardha, the sadhanasthali of Shri Vinova Bhave and the karma bhoomi of Mahatma Gandhi, makes the occasion a confluence of the achievement and inspiration to bring new energy to the resolve of Viksit Bharat. He stated that through PM Vishwakarma Yojna, the government has resolved to create a better future through skill development and ‘shram to samriddhi’ (hard work to prosperity), and the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi will become a medium to turn it into a reality. The Prime Minister congratulated everyone associated with PM Vishwakarma Yojna on the occasion.

The Prime Minister underlined that the foundation stone of the PM MITRA park was laid today. He highlighted that today’s India was working to take its textile industry to the pinnacle of world’s markets. He added that India’s target was to reestablish the centuries old fame and recognition of India’s textile industries. Shri Modi remarked that PM MITRA park in Amaravati was another big step in this direction. He congratulated the people of Amaravati for this achievement.

The Prime Minister highlighted that Wardha in Maharashtra was chosen for the first year anniversary of PM Vishwakarma Yojana as it was not just another Government program but it was a scheme to make use of the age-old traditional skills as a roadmap to propel India to be a developed country. Pointing out that our age-old traditional skills were the basis of many glorious chapters of India's prosperity, he said that our art, engineering, science and metallurgy was unmatched in the entire world. “We were the world's largest textile manufacturer”, highlighted Shri Modi. “There was no match to pottery and the buildings designed back in the day”, added the Prime Minister. Carpenter, blacksmith, goldsmith, potter, sculptor, cobbler, carpenter-mason and many such professionalists used to be the foundation of India's prosperity and spread this knowledge and science to every home, said Shri Modi. Remarking that the Britishers hatched many conspiracies to wipe out these indigenous skills, Shri Modi said from this very land of Wardha, Gandhiji promoted rural industry. He expressed displeasure over the misfortune of the country that successive governments after independence did not give this skill the respect it deserved. Remarking that the erstwhile governments constantly neglected the Vishwakarma community by forgetting to respect crafts and skills, he pointed out that consequently India started lagging behind in the race of progress and modernity.

Highlighting that the present government resolved to bring new energy to traditional skills after 70 years of independence, the Prime Minister mentioned that ‘Samman, Samarthya, Samridhi’, (“Respect, capability and prosperity) make for the spirit of PM Vishwakarma Yojna”. The Prime Minister said our objective is respect for the traditional crafts, empowerment of artisans and prosperity for Vishwakarmas.

The Prime Minister drew attention to the large-scale and unprecedented collaborations of different departments to make PM Vishwakarma a success and informed that more than 700 districts, 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, 5000 urban local units are giving momentum to the scheme. In the last year, Shri Modi added, more than 20 lakh people with 18 different traditional skills have been connected to PM Vishwakarma Yojna. Skill training and upgradation have been provided to more than 8 lakh artisans and craftsmen with the introduction of modern machinery and digital tools. More than 60,000 people have received skill training in Maharashtra alone. Prime Minister Modi informed that more than 6 lakh Vishwakarmas have been provided with modern equipment to help boost productivity and the quality of produce, an e-voucher of Rs 15,000, and loans up to Rs 3 lakh without guarantee to expand their businesses. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that loans worth Rs 1400 crore have been given to Vishwakarmas within a year.

Noting the contributions of the SC, ST and OBC communities towards traditional skills, the Prime Minister lamented the neglect faced by them during the previous governments and said it is the present government that put an end to the system of anti backward mentality. He shed light on the statistics of the previous year and said that the SC, ST and OBC communities are taking the maximum benefit of Vishwakarma Yojana. Expressing his desire for the people of the Vishwakarma community to not only remain mere artisans but become entrepreneurs and business owners, the Prime Minister mentioned providing MSME status to the work done by Vishwakarmas. He spoke about efforts like One District One Product and Ekta Mall where traditional products are being marketed to make Vishwakarmas a part of the supply chain of big companies.

PM Modi touched upon ONDC and GEM which have become a medium for artisans and craftsmen to expand their businesses. He underlined that the societal class which lagged in economic progress will now play a crucial role in the world’s third-largest economy. “Skill India Mission is strengthening it further”, he said.  Under the skill development program, Shri Modi informed that crores of youth in the country have received training according to today's needs. Underlining that India’s skills are being recognized around the world with programs like Skill India, Shri Modi informed with pride that India won multiple awards at a huge event on world skills organized in France earlier this year.

“Textile industry is one with immense industrial possibilities in Maharashtra”, emphasized the Prime Minister. He pointed out that the area of ​​Vidarbha had been a big center for the production of high quality cotton, however the successive governments had  pushed the cotton farmers into misery due to petty politics and corruption in the name of farmers.Shri Modi highlighted that the work to solve the problem progressed rapidly when Devendra Fadnavis  government was formed in 2014. He added that a textile park was built in Nandgaon Khandeshwar of Amravati, where no industry was ready to invest, however, today it was developing successfully becoming a big industrial center for Maharashtra.

Highlighting the pace of the work being done on PM Mitra Park, Shri Modi remarked that the willpower of the double engine government was displayed. “7 PM MITRA Parks will be established across India”, exclaimed Shri Modi. He said that the vision included a complete cycle of Farm to Fibre, Fibre to Fabric, Fabric to Fashion, Fashion to Foreign, meaning that the high-quality fabric would be made from Vidarbha's cotton and the clothes made out of the fabric according to fashion will be exported to foreign countries. He explained further that this would stop the losses incurred by farmers and enable them to fetch good prices for their crops as there will be value addition. Highlighting that there was a possibility of an investment of 8-10 thousand crores from PM Mitra Park alone, Shri Modi said that it would help create more than one lakh new employment opportunities for the youth in Vidarbha and Maharashtra along with a boost to other industries as well. He added that New supply chains would be created which will help the country's exports leading to an increase in income. Shri Modi also emphasized that Maharashtra was gearing up for the modern infrastructure and connectivity needed for this industrial progress. He added that this included new highways, expressways, Samruddhi Mahamarg along with expansion of water and air connectivity. “Maharashtra has geared up for a new industrial revolution”, exclaimed Shri Modi.

Acknowledging the role of Maharashtra’s farmers in driving the state’s multi-dimensional progress, he emphasized that the prosperity of the nation is closely tied to the happiness of farmers. He added that the double-engine government is committed to working together to enhance farmers’ prosperity. Shri Modi highlighted the significant steps taken under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme where the Central government provides Rs 6,000 annually to farmers and the Maharashtra government adds the same amount thereby increasing the farmers’ income by Rs 12,000 annually. The Prime Minister also spoke about the initiative to provide crop insurance at just Rs 1 and waive electricity bills for farmers. Focusing on the region's irrigation challenges, Prime Minister Modi pointed out that the efforts initiated during the previous term of the present government in the state had been delayed by the following administration. Today, the Prime Minister informed that the present state government has revived and accelerated these projects. He mentioned the recently approved Van-Ganga and Nal-Ganga river-linking project worth Rs 85,000 crore which aims to bring irrigation to 10 lakh acres of land across Nagpur, Wardha, Amravati, Yavatmal, Akola, and Buldhana districts.

“Our government is committed to addressing the demands of farmers in Maharashtra”, the Prime Minister remarked, mentioning a reduction in export tax on onions from 40% to 20% aimed at providing immediate relief to the onion farmers in the region. Shri Modi also discussed the steps taken to protect domestic farmers from the impact of imported edible oils and said, “We have imposed a 20% tax on the import of edible oils and increased the customs duty on refined soybean, sunflower, and palm oil from 12.5% to 32.5%,” adding that this move will particularly benefit soybean farmers across Maharashtra. He expressed optimism that these efforts will soon yield positive results for the agricultural sector. Prime Minister Modi also cautioned against falling for false promises and mentioned the farmers of Telangana who are still struggling for loan waivers today. He urged the farmers of Maharashtra to stay vigilant and avoid being misled by deceptive promises.

PM Modi also cautioned against the forces intending to create a division in society and those who insult Indian traditions and culture on foreign lands. He recalled Ganesh Utsav becoming a festival of unity in India during the freedom struggle under the leadership of Lokmanya Tilak where people from every society and class came together in celebration. He urged the citizens to stand with tradition and progress and the agenda of respect and development.  “Together we will protect Maharashtra’s identity and boost its pride. We will fulfill the dreams of Maharashtra”, Shri Modi concluded.

Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C P Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Eknath Shinde, Union Minister for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, and Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and Shri Ajit Pawar were present on the occasion among others.

Background

During the programme, the Prime Minister released certificates and loans to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries. Symbolizing the tangible support extended to artisans under this Scheme, he also distributed credit under PM Vishwakarma to 18 beneficiaries under 18 trades. As a tribute to their legacy and enduring contribution to society, he released a commemorative stamp dedicated to mark one year of progress under PM Vishwakarma.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park at Amravati, Maharashtra. The 1000 acre park is being developed by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as the State Implementation Agency. Government of India had approved the setting up of 7 PM MITRA Parks for the Textile industry. PM MITRA Parks are a major step forward in realizing the vision of making India a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports. It will help create world-class industrial infrastructure that would attract large-scale investment including foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage innovation and job creation within the sector.

The Prime Minister launched the ‘Acharya Chanakya Skill Development’ scheme of the Government of Maharashtra. Skill development training centers will be established in renowned colleges across the state to provide training to youth aged 15 to 45, enabling them to become self-reliant and access various employment opportunities. Around 1,50,000 youths across the state will receive free skill development training each year.

The Prime Minister also launched ‘Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme’. Under the scheme, early-stage support will be given to women-led startups in Maharashtra. Financial assistance up to ₹25 lakh will be provided.  25% of the total provisions under this scheme will be reserved for women from backward classes and economically weaker sections as specified by the government. It will help women-led startups become self-reliant and independent.

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