Context:
In the recent Independence Day address, the Prime Minister unveiled two significant initiatives aimed at empowering artisans and women’s self-help groups (SHGs) across India.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- Vishwakarma Yojana: Empowering Artisans and Craftsmen
- Empowering Rural Women: The Lakhpati Didi Scheme
Vishwakarma Yojana: Empowering Artisans and Craftsmen
- The Vishwakarma Yojana is an innovative initiative aimed at uplifting skilled traditional craftsmen, particularly from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community.
- This scheme is named after Vishwakarma, the divine architect and craftsman, and aims to perpetuate the guru-shishya parampara or teacher-pupil tradition within artisan families.
Key Features:
Recognition and Identity:
- Artisans and craftsmen enrolled in the scheme will be granted a PM Vishwakarma certificate and an official identity card.
Financial Support:
- Beneficiaries are eligible for collateral-free credit support of up to ₹1 lakh (first tranche) and ₹2 lakh (second tranche) at a concessional interest rate of 5%.
Budget Allocation:
- The Vishwakarma Yojana has been allocated a budget ranging from ₹13,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore for five financial years from 2023-2024 to 2027-2028.
Skill Training and Tools:
- The scheme offers a stipend of ₹500 for skill training and ₹1,500 for the acquisition of modern tools.
Diverse Traditional Trades:
- Encompassing both rural and urban areas, the scheme covers 18 traditional trades such as carpentry, boat-making, blacksmithing, pottery, sculpting, cobbling, tailoring, and more.
Registration Process:
- Registration for the Vishwakarma Yojana can be completed at common services centers situated in villages.
Collaborative Support:
- While the central government provides funding, collaboration with state governments is also sought for the successful implementation of the scheme.
Market Integration:
- A significant goal of the scheme is to seamlessly integrate artisans into domestic and global value chains, opening doors to improved market access and opportunities.
Empowering Rural Women: The Lakhpati Didi Scheme
- The Lakhpati Didi Scheme embodies the government’s ambitious aim of fostering economic prosperity among women in rural villages.
- By targeting the creation of two crore “lakhpati didis” or prosperous sisters, this initiative aligns with broader poverty alleviation goals and aims to uplift women through skill training.
Key Features:
Skill Empowerment:
- Women in rural areas will receive skill training to enable them to earn an annual income exceeding Rs 1 lakh.
Drones for Agricultural Activities:
- Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will receive drones to aid in various agricultural tasks.
- The utilization of drones aims to blend technology with traditional farming practices, thereby enhancing agricultural productivity and income.
Technology and Empowerment:
- This initiative stands at the intersection of technology adoption and women’s empowerment, addressing both economic and gender disparities.
Training for Drone Operation:
- Approximately 15,000 women’s SHGs will undergo training in drone operation and repair.
- This training equips women with contemporary skills, providing them with an edge in various fields.
Revolutionizing Agriculture:
- Drones possess the potential to revolutionize agriculture through precision farming, crop monitoring, and pest management.
- This technological leap contributes to increased crop yields and more sustainable farming practices.
Diverse Skill Training:
- Beyond drones, the scheme encompasses diverse skills training, including LED bulb making and plumbing.
- This comprehensive approach broadens the spectrum of income-generating opportunities for rural women.
-Source: The Hindu
