Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
New Delhi: A Rs 13,000 crore PM Vishwakarma scheme, which will help nearly 30 lakh traditional artisans and craftsmen, including weavers, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, laundry workers, and barbers, was approved by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday.
In his Independence Day speech on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the programme.
Under the scheme, craftsmen will be provided a subsidised loan of Rs 1 lakh in the first tranche, and another Rs 2 lakh in the second tranche, communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said after the Cabinet meeting. The loans will be provided at a concessional interest rate of 5 per cent.
On Tuesday, the prime minister announced that the scheme will be launched on Vishwakarma Jayanti on September 17.
With PTI inputs