Chennai (Tamil Nadu). Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote a letter to Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi informing him that the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana will not be implemented in the state in its current form and requested for amendments in it.
In a letter to the Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Wednesday said the state has decided to formulate a more inclusive and comprehensive scheme for artisans based on social justice, which does not discriminate on the basis of caste. Will go.
PM Vishwakarma Yojana promotes caste discrimination
Stalin said in the letter, the opinion of the Government of Tamil Nadu has been expressed by writing a letter to the Prime Minister of India dated January 4, 2024 and a request has been made to amend the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana being implemented by the Ministry of MSME, Government of India.
Going forward, Tamil Nadu also constituted a committee to study the scheme as there were concerns that the initiative reinforces the system of ‘caste-based occupation’, the Chief Minister said.
Therefore, the Tamil Nadu government will not go ahead with the implementation of PM Vishwakarma Yojana in the present form, he said. However, to empower the artisans in Tamil Nadu under the overall principle of social justice, the Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive scheme for artisans, which does not discriminate on the basis of caste.
CM Stalin said that the scheme will provide holistic assistance to all artisans in the state, irrespective of their caste or family occupation.
Such a scheme would provide them with financial assistance, training and all necessary support for their development, he said, and would be more comprehensive and inclusive.
The committee appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu had recommended removal of the mandatory requirement that the applicant’s family be traditionally engaged in a family-based traditional trade.
He said, the minimum age criteria has been kept at 35 years, so that only those people can avail benefits under this scheme, who have taken a conscious decision to continue their family business.
CM Stalin said that the responsibility of verification of beneficiaries in rural areas lies with the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) of the Revenue Department instead of the head of the Gram Panchayat.
What is PM Vishwakarma Yojana?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vishwakarma Scheme on September 17, 2023. The scheme provides for recognition through Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Certificate and Identity Card, skill upgradation through skill verification, basic skills, advanced skill training, entrepreneurial knowledge, toolkit incentive up to Rs 15,000, loan assistance up to Rs 3,00,000 and access to digital transactions. Ensures incentives for.