Agartala, Sep 20, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala, Sept 20: Along with the other parts of the country, the first anniversary of PM Vishwakarma Scheme was celebrated in Tripura on Friday.

inaugurating the first anniversary celebration of the ‘PM Vishwakarma Scheme’ in Agartala, Rajya Sabha MP, Rajib Bhattacharjee emphasised the importance of enhancing local artisans' skills, supporting product development and promoting the sale of indigenous goods to strengthen India’s traditional craftsmanship.

He stated that to achieve these goals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the PM Vishwakarma Scheme on September 17, 2023. 

The scheme supports 18 traditional crafts by providing artisans with modern tools and training, as well as offering loans of up to Rs 3 lakhs at 5 percent interest. Artisans also receive a grant of Rs 15,000 to purchase toolkits as part of their training.

The anniversary event was celebrated in Agartala, alongside other locations across the country. 

The main event, held at Wardha in Maharashtra, was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while in Tripura, the ceremony took place at the Bamboo and Cane Development Institute (BCDI) premises in Khajurbagan.

It was learnt that, a total of 20 lakh artisans and craftsmen across the country have registered under the scheme so far, with 8 lakh having received skill enhancement training. 

Besides, a total of Rs 1,400 crores loans have been disbursed to 1.6 lakh beneficiaries. In Tripura, 51,305 names have been registered under the scheme among which 18 thousands individuals have received  training so far.

Among them six thousand have successfully completed the training and 13 hundred have received loans. 

Punjab National Bank and Tripura Gramin Bank are providing loans under this scheme in the state.

Addressing the gathering, the Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Kiran Gitte, mentioned that over 20 training centers have been set up across Tripura to support skill development under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. 

Committees at the village, district and state levels have been formed to ensure the scheme’s effective implementation, he added.

Later, a few beneficiaries were handed loan sanction letters and certificates of training.