Government of India’s policy approach
rests on the principle of enhancing the three critical accesses to enterprises.
These three accesses include enhancing access to affordable finance; ensuring
access to state-of-the-art technology; and increasing access to extensive and
expansive domestic and global markets. Each of these accesses has finer points
entailed in them. For example, access to affordable finance not only implies
collateral free loans, but also timely payments which are due to smaller
suppliers. Similarly, access to technology covers adherence to quality and
compliance with environmental standards. In the same vein, mandatory annual
public procurement requirements by Government Ministries and Public Sector
Units provide an assured market for the goods and services of smaller
enterprises.
The recently launched PM Vishwakarma
Scheme with its objective of providing end-to-end support to artisans and
craftspeople of 18 traditional trades definitely has its roots in Welfare
Economics, which promises maximization of public welfare with inclusion and
public participation. The Scheme is fairly nuanced, futuristic and
comprehensively covers all three crucial accesses. Based on the principles of Samman,
Samarthya, Sammriddhi of traditional artisans and craftspeople, the Scheme
seeks to provide recognition to beneficiaries in the form of PM Vishwakarma
certificate and identity card delivered in both physical and electronic forms,
besides honing their skills through basic and advanced trainings of 6 days and
15 days, respectively. On successful completion of skill training, those who
desire to take loans for entrepreneurship development can apply for collateral
free loans upto Rs. 3 lakh, in two tranches of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh. Each
beneficiary receives an Udyam Assist Platform certificate at the time of
registration, which makes his/her loan eligible to be considered as Priority
Sector Lending. To enhance efficiency and productivity, toolkits worth Rs.
15,000, based on cutting edge technology, are delivered to the beneficiaries at
their doorstep. The distribution of toolkits rests on state-of-the-art
technology and digitalization. The need to transform to the digital arena is
underscored by the fact that the beneficiaries are rewarded for every digital
payment or receipt. The Scheme facilitates participation of beneficiaries in
trade fairs, exhibitions, selling on e-commerce networks, etc.
The implementation of the Scheme entails a
mammoth exercise of coordinating with a large number of stakeholders, each
having an important role to play in the successful implementation of the
scheme. The Scheme includes challenging coordination among 2.5 lakh Gram
Pradhans and around 4,900 Urban Local Bodies involved in verification at level
1; more than 750 district collectors verifying prospective beneficiaries at
level 2; 32 Development and Facilitation Offices of Ministry of MSME confirming
registrations at level 3; around 900 skill centres imparting training; 217
financial institutions processing loan applications; 5 Digital Payment
Aggregators; 1.5 lakh postmen engaged in delivery of modern toolkits; and
various e-commerce platforms. These numbers are poised to increase further.
The Scheme has received an overwhelming
response. Since its launch on 17th September, 2023, more than 23
lakh artisans and craftspeople have received their PM Vishwakarma certificates
and identity cards, along with Udyam Assist Platform certificates. These
beneficiaries are spread across the 18 trades, spanning across the length and
breadth of the country. More than 10 lakh beneficiaries have attended their
basic skill training and around 2 lakh beneficiaries have been sanctioned loans
of upto Rs. 1 lakh. More than one-third of the beneficiaries are women. OBC, SC
and ST beneficiaries together account for 80% of all registered beneficiaries.
Evidently, the Scheme is an affirmative step towards inclusive growth and
aspires to achieve the utilitarian objective of the greatest good of the
greatest number.
(The views
expressed are personal. A PIB feature)
