PM Viswakarma scheme announcement heats up politics in Odisha

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved a new Central sector scheme “PM Vishwakarma” with a financial outlay of Rs.15,000 crore.

Modi had announced the scheme while addressing the nation on the occasion of Independence Day on Tuesday. It is being claimed as a masterstroke ahead of the crucial 2024 elections as it aims at the welfare of the traditional craftsmen who are from the backward classes.

In Odisha, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) too had recently included unorganised workers under 50 categories in its social security ambit.

The PM Vishwakarma scheme aims to strengthen and nurture the Guru-Shishya parampara or family-based practice of traditional skills by artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools. Eighteen traditional trades will be covered in the first instance under PM Vishwakarma including Carpenter (Suthar), Boat maker, armourer, blacksmith (Lohar), and others.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that under PM Vishwakarma scheme, the artisans and craftspeople will be provided recognition through PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card, Credit Support up to Rs.1 lakh (first tranche) and Rs.2 lakh (second tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5%.

“There will be a stipend of Rs 500 per day during training. For modern tools, one will get assistance of Rs 15,000,” said Vaishnaw.

The Scheme will further provide Skill Upgradation, Toolkit Incentives, Incentives for Digital Transactions, and Marketing Support. Under such circumstances, it remains to be seen how the ruling BJD in Odisha counters this masterstroke of the Modi government at the centre ahead of the 2024 polls.

Only time will tell whether the BJD pulls something more out of its Pandora’s box after announcing assistance for the unorganised sector.

“We have taken a unique step and broadened the basket for providing assistance. Now Prime Minister has announced a new scheme as well. Anything good is taken and accepted by all,” said BJD leader, Debi Prasad Mishra. Odisha BJP vice president, Biranchi Tripathy said,

“ PM Narendra Modi has announced the new scheme from the ramparts of Red Fort. Nobody can say about one scheme of Odisha government which has been implemented so far.”