With the rest of the country, PM Viswakarma scheme was launched in Manipur by Nityanand Rai MOS on the occassion of Viswakarma Jayanti which coincided with PM Narendra Modi’s birthday today.
The new central sector scheme was launched in the Presence of Biren Singh CM at a function held at Sangai Hall of Imphal hotel in Imphal. The function was held as a part of PM’s virtual launching of the scheme from New Delhi which spread across the country in 70 locations.
Addressing the function as Chief Guest, Union MOS for Home Nityanand Rai said that this far-reaching scheme is poised to uplift traditional artisans, enhancing their socio-economic status and contributing to the preservation of India’s rich cultural tapestry.
He expected that the scheme will give immense benefits to the traditional artisans of Manipur while expressing strong confidence that Manipur will be the first among the states of the country successful in the implementation of the scheme.
Rai said the Centre, under the supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been taking up initiatives for empowerment, creation of employment opportunities and the upgrade the livelihood of artisans across the country.
The Centre is also giving special focus to the artisans of the northeast states including Manipur and under the leadership of chief minister N Biren Singh, this new scheme will accelerate the pace of all round development.
The new scheme will also act as an accelerator of the Prime Minister’s vision of making Bharat (India) one of the developed countries and a superpower country, he said.
Highlighting various features of the new scheme, the Union MoS for home affairs said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the scheme to give support to the people engaged in traditional crafts.
It has been the sustained focus of the Prime Minister to give support to the artisans engaged in traditional crafts. This scheme focuses on not only supporting the artisans and craftspeople financially but also to keep the age-old tradition, culture and diverse heritage alive and flourishing through local products, art and crafts.
To facilitate easy enrollment of the artisans to avail the benefits of the scheme, the Central government has designated common services centers in villages as registration points for the scheme, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said that the new scheme is giving special emphasis to handicraft while expressing hope that it will immensely benefit artisans of the state engaging in traditional artisans.
It will also help enhance the socio-economic status of the artisans, he added.
Asserting that PM Vishwakarma will be fully funded by the Union government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore, the chief minister said that artisans can register free of charge through Common Services Centres using biometric based PM Vishwakarma portal.
The chief minister urged upon the artisans of the state to avail the benefit while asserting that the launch of the new scheme will strengthen the livelihood means for traditional artisans through efficiency in procurement, logistics and marketing of products outside the state.
Some sitting MLAs of Manipur, BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sarda Devi, state chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi and officials of the state concerned department of state government were among others who attended the launching function.
Live stream telecast of the address of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the launching function held at India International Convention and Expo Centre, Dwarka, New Delhi and success story narrated by award winning artisans of the state were some of the highlights of the occasion held in Imphal.
