Aimed at providing end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople of 18 trades who work with their hands and tools, the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme (PMVK) has received over 2.31 crore applications from across states within the first year of its introduction. The scheme, introduced on 17 September 2023 has received a total of 2,31,11,972 applications upto 3 August 2024 from 28 states and 8 union territories.
According to the data provided by the Minister of State (MoS) for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Shobha Karandlaje in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Madhya Pradesh has received the highest number of enrolments with 28,98,792 applications under the scheme during the period. Uttar Pradesh takes up the second spot with 28,67,237 applications, while with 28,38,346 applications, Karnataka has secured the third spot.
The total applications received in the top five states under the scheme stand at 1,25,31,988 or equivalent to 54.2 per cent of the total applications.
As far as the union territories are concerned, the 8 UTs have received 4,91,430 applications. Jammu and Kashmir topped the list with 4,44,329 such enrolments, equivalent to 90.41 per cent of the lot. Delhi secured second place with 29,286 such applications. Lakshadweep received the lowest number of applications in the country, with 170 such applications.
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme components include recognition through certificate and ID card, skill upgradation, credit support, incentive for digital transactions, marketing support and toolkit incentive, according to the written response by the MoS in the lower of the parliament.
The scheme is aimed at providing these supports to the craftsman and artisans on the pan-India level by facilitating easy access to collateral-free credit and reducing the cost of credit by providing interest subvention.