New Delhi: Coming down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the launch of ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme, the Congress said the prime minister was offering yet another “jumla” (gimmick) while he chooses to remain “selectively silent” on the issue of caste census, news agency PTI reported. “People won’t be fooled again and it is time for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s retirement,” Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi launched the scheme for artisans, craftsmen, and people engaged in traditional skills. The ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme, fully funded by the Union government with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore, was first announced by PM Modi on Independence Day. He also launched 18 post tickets and the Toolkit Booklet on the occasion.
"In the near future, training, technology and tools will be very essential. Under 'PM Vishwakarma' scheme, govt has focussed on providing special training to the Vishwakarma partners and Rs 500 will be provided to you while the training is underway," PM Modi said.
Taking to X, Ramesh wrote, “Demonetisation and a flawed GST followed by a sudden lockdown during COVID-19 have been the biggest destroyers of micro and small enterprises in India.”
“A majority of these small businesses are run by people who work with their hands — textiles, leather, metalwork, woodwork and other craft work. A lot of those affected by the Modi government’s policies met @RahulGandhi during the @BharatJodoYatra and he continues to engage with them, listening to their pain and anguish,” he added.
"After ruining them, the prime minister has belatedly woken up to their large-scale dissatisfaction and is offering yet another election jumla in the form of the Vishwakarma Yojana. But he continues to be selectively silent on the issue of caste census," the post by the Congress leader added.