Jammu and Kashmir has become the first Union Territory in the country to implement the PM Vishwakarma Yojana with the start of training for the first batch of 30 trainees, said an official according to PTI. The initiative aims to empower and enhance the skill of the craftsmen community in the country, the official added.
The training programme was virtually inaugurated for the first batch of 30 trainees (Vishwakarma) in ‘darzi craft’ by Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, and Secretary of the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Atul Kumar Tiwari, at ITI Shopian, the report added.
"In a significant step towards empowering the craftsman community through self-employment, Jammu and Kashmir today became the first Union Territory of the country to implement prestigious PM Vishwakarma Yojana (PMVY) with the start of training for first batch of 30 trainees in darzi craft at Industrial training institute in Shopian," said an official spokesman.
Bhatnagar expressed pride in Jammu and Kashmir being the first Union Territory to implement the scheme and highlighted the administration’s commitment to fostering a culture of skill development to create opportunities for employment for the youth.
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He also said that the scheme is expected to be operationalised soon in all the districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana was launched by the Central government in September 2023 with an aim to recognise artisans and craftspeople through PM Vishwakarma certificates and ID cards, said the officials.
Under the scheme, the trainees are imparted a basic training of five to seven days, advanced training of 15 or more days, a stipend of Rs 500 per day, and a free modern toolkit worth Rs 15,000 for trained Vishwakarmas.
The yojana also offers linkage with credit-based soft loans and marketing support to expand their businesses, they said.