Agartala, Sept 21: The anniversary of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme was celebrated today across various locations in the country, including Agartala. The main event was held in Wardha, Maharashtra, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present. In Tripura, the related event took place at the Bamboo and Cane Development Institute (BCDI) premises in Khajur Bagan, with a live broadcast of the main event from Wardha.
Inaugurating the program at BCDI, Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the use of indigenous technology and the promotion of local products. He mentioned that to strengthen the foundation of India’s economy, it is crucial to focus on local products, enhance the skills of artisans, provide support in production, and ensure the sale of these products. In line with this, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme was launched by Prime Minister Modi on September 17, 2023.
The scheme covers 18 types of traditional artisans and craftsmen, providing them with modern equipment, skill enhancement, and knowledge. It offers loans up to ₹3 lakh at 5% interest for business purposes. Additionally, artisans receive ₹15,000 as assistance for purchasing toolkits during training.
Across the country, 20 lakh artisans and craftsmen have registered under this scheme, with 8 lakh receiving skill development training. Following training, loans worth ₹1,400 crore have been disbursed to 1.6 lakh individuals. In Tripura, 51,305 people have registered so far, with 18,000 receiving skill training. Out of these, 6,000 have successfully completed the training, and loans have been provided to 1,300 individuals. Punjab National Bank and Tripura Gramin Bank are responsible for disbursing loans under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme in the state.
During the event, Kiran Gitte, Secretary of the Department of Industry and Commerce, mentioned that over 20 training centers have been set up across the state for skill development under this scheme. Committees at the village panchayat, district, and state levels are in place to ensure the successful implementation of the project. Towards the end of the program, loan sanction letters and training certificates were handed over to some beneficiaries. Other dignitaries present at the event included Megha Jain, Additional District Magistrate of West Tripura, Satyendra Singh, Chairman of Tripura Gramin Bank, and Rituraj Krishna, DGM of Punjab National Bank.
