The central government, under the leadership of N. Modi, is implementing a special program to support entrepreneurs facing financial difficulties when starting their own businesses. This government initiative, known as the PM Vishwakarma Yojna Loan, provides qualified specialists with loans of up to three lakh rupees under minimal interest rates and without requiring collateral. The program marked its third anniversary on Thursday.
The PM Vishwakarma Yojana was launched by Prime Minister N. Modi on September 17, 2023, with the aim of providing financial assistance to people wishing to start their own ventures. Eighteen different types of businesses are involved in this scheme, supporting artisans and craftsmen in both rural and urban areas. Included professions are stonemasons, carpenters, shipbuilders, blacksmiths, locksmiths, potters, sculptors, fishermen, toy manufacturers, and others.
According to the terms of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, the government provides loans of up to 300,000 rupees, disbursed in two stages. Initially, a loan of 100,000 rupees is provided for business startup, followed by an additional loan of 200,000 rupees for business expansion. The interest rate on these government loans is set at only 5 percent. A significant advantage is that this government loan does not require security, meaning the borrower does not need to provide any assets as collateral.
In addition to financial support, qualified specialists working in the 18 declared sectors undergo training under master trainers through this program. A scholarship of 500 rupees is provided for completing the training. Furthermore, beneficiaries receive a PM Vishwakarma certificate and identity card, along with a tool kit worth 15,000 rupees, in addition to upskilling through basic and advanced training.
To apply for the program, the government requires the following documents: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, income certificate, caste certificate, identity proof, residence registration document, passport-sized photograph, bank passbook, and a valid mobile phone number.
To apply under the Modi Govt Scheme, the applicant must be associated with one of the 18 specified professions. The age limit for participation is from 18 to 50 years. Applications are accepted on the official website pmvishwakarma.gov.in. One must navigate to the PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana section on the homepage and click the 'Apply Online' option. After registering on the portal, a registration number and password will be sent to the registered mobile number. The registration form must be filled out carefully, and the relevant documents must be attached and submitted.
Over its three years of existence, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana has registered more than 3 million people. According to official data, about 2.45 million Vishwakarma workers have already undergone skill training. More than 1.815 million modern toolkits have been delivered to Vishwakarma workers through the India Post service, helping artisans adopt better equipment and improve the quality and productivity of their work.