PM Modi Launches ₹13,000 Crore PM Vishwakarma Scheme on His 73th Birthday Across 70 Locations including Shimla

: Category: Latest; Published: 17 September 2023

KuldeepChauhan,Editor-in-Chief,HimbuMail

PMModi_ArtisnasInNewDelhiShimla_HimbuMail

SHIMLA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 73th birthday today coincided with the launch of ₹13,000 crore PM Vishwakarma Scheme from Delhi and opening of the Yashoobhumi convention centre at Dwarika that has struck a chord with the crores of artisans and craftspersons across the nation.

This scheme, aimed at honoring and empowering the country's artisans, was unveiled virtually with participation from 70 locations across India.

Prime Minister Modi said this project continues India's traditions with even greater grandeur, signifying its role as a center for showcasing our nation's future."

"The project boasts strategic proximity to an airport and a new metro station, promoting multi-modal connectivity and the 'PM Gati Shakti' initiative."

Designed as a comprehensive ecosystem, it offers entertainment, shopping, and tourism opportunities for all visitors.

"Prime Minister Modi celebrated India's craftsmanship at the G20 craft market, emphasizing the need for Indian artisans to reach global markets."

Prime Minister Modi urged citizens to support local industries by buying both small and large products reflecting India's heritage.

He urged to encourage this approach during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi and Dhanteras Deepawali."

The scheme is named after Lord Vishwakarma, the legendary architect, who is worshiped by the artisans today on Vishwkarma day and do not touch their tools and abstain from working.

If all goes as planned, the scheme aims at boosting skills of artisans and craftspersons in both rural and urban areas.

It encompasses 18 traditional trades, including carpentry, blacksmithing, goldsmithing, and pottery, among others.

Under the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, beneficiaries will receive skill upgradation, toolkit incentives, digital transaction incentives, and marketing assistance.

Upon successful registration and verification, artisans will be granted a PM Vishwakarma certificate and identity card.

They will receive a toolkit incentive of ₹15,000, basic skills training with a daily stipend of ₹500, and access to collateral-free loans of up to ₹1 lakh for 18 months.

Advanced skill training, with a stipend of ₹500 per day, and a second installment of loans up to ₹2 lakh for 30 months will be available to skilled beneficiaries.

Moreover, digital transactions will be promoted with incentives of Re. 1 per transaction, up to 100 transactions per month.

Additionally, artisans will receive marketing support, including quality certification, branding, and inclusion on e-commerce and GeM platforms.

Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur who led the launch from Shimla and participated in the Birthday celebration of the Prime Minister, highlighted the importance of skills in today's world revealing that the government purchases goods worth ₹2 lakh crore annually from craftspersons through the GeM portal.

Anurag Singh Thakur said the initiative is expected to be a game-changer for traditional artisans and craftsmen in India, further strengthening their role in domestic and global value chains.

He also urged the youth to actively participate in the "Mera Maati Mera Desh" (MMMD)program that will touch thousands of the villages across India.

MMMD aims at taking PM's achievements to the villagers to brand PM for the next big Contest: 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed confidence that PM Vishwakarma Yojana would effectively promote the skills of artisans across the nation.

This launch event coincided with the inauguration of the Yashobhoomi Convention Center in Delhi. Prime Minister Modi also released the logo, tagline, portal, 18 postage stamps, and toolkit booklet of PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

0

Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Insta Email Print

Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s directive to initiate disqualification proceedings against six MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs).

This decision, welcomed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has brought a temporary reprieve to his administration, which was grappling with the political and legal ramifications of the High Court’s order.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had earlier quashed the appointments of the six CPSs, deeming them unconstitutional, and directed the Assembly Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay has effectively paused the implementation of this directive, offering the government some breathing space to strategize its next legal move.

CM Sukhu Hails Supreme Court’s Clarity

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, CM Sukhu expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interpretation, which he said provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

"The relief granted by the Supreme Court is significant, and we will deliberate on the next steps after considering all legal aspects,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the apex court’s interpretation differed from paragraph 50 of the High Court’s verdict, which had been the basis of the controversial directive.

Opposition’s “Childish” Behavior Criticized

Shifting his focus to the opposition, Sukhu took a sharp jab at their tactics, describing their behavior as “childish” and lacking focus on real issues.

“There are no controversies here, but their behavior is simply immature. From toilet tax to ‘Samosa Politics,’ they are just distracting from the real issues,” he said.

Sukhu accused the opposition BJP of attempting to create diversions because of its failure to make a dent in the Congress’s strength during the Vidhan Sabha elections.

“Their ‘Operation Lotus’ was decisively rejected by the people, and Congress retained its 40-seat strength. Now, they resort to personal attacks to divert attention from our welfare schemes,” he added.

Relief Amid Mounting Challenges

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court’s order has momentarily eased the pressure on the Sukhu government, but the sword of uncertainty continues to hang over the six MLAs who served as CPSs.

With questions around their appointments still unresolved, the case remains a legal minefield.

The CPS appointments had drawn criticism for allegedly violating constitutional provisions, which prohibit the creation of such posts without legislative backing.

The High Court’s scathing remarks and the directive for disqualification had added fuel to the controversy, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape.

While the Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, the Sukhu government must now prepare for a protracted legal battle to defend the appointments and protect its legislative majority.

Opposition’s Counterattacks

The BJP, meanwhile, has been quick to pounce on the issue, accusing the government of flouting constitutional norms for political convenience. Party leaders have argued that the CPS appointments were a backdoor way to reward loyalists, a claim that Sukhu has staunchly denied.

The opposition’s attacks, combined with the ongoing legal scrutiny, highlight the precarious nature of the government’s position. For now, the Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome pause, but the final word on the matter could still have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu’s Call for Responsibility

Amid the controversy, Sukhu reiterated his commitment to governance and welfare. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and raise issues that matter to the common man.

“Significant progress has been made in improving the socio-economic status of the underprivileged during this tenure, and that remains our priority,” he stated.

With the legal wrangling far from over, the fate of the six CPSs—and the stability of the Sukhu government—remains inextricably tied to the unfolding courtroom drama.

Top News

Motive

The mainstream media houses dominated by the city- centric editors have been indifferent to the problems and issues faced by the Himalayan people down the centuries. HimbuMail is born to fill this gap and seeks to become their real voice.

News Coverage

City Explore

💰 Donate TO Us !

Donate Now »

Why Donate ?

HimbuMail is new web newsepaper and is being run on no-profit basis by professionals, who need financial support for sustainable operation of the web news portal.

your support is Supreme!