Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has informed the Centre that his government would not take forward the PM Vishwakarma scheme “in its present form”. His decision came after the Centre did not consider Tamil Nadu’s request for changes in the scheme. He referred to the concerns that the scheme would strengthen “caste-based vocation”.
“However, to empower artisans in Tamil Nadu through the principle of social justice, the State government has decided to develop a more inclusive and comprehensive scheme, which does not discriminate on the basis of caste,” he said in a letter to Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi.
Mr. Stalin referred in his letter to Tamil Nadu’s request in January this year for changes in the PM Vishwakarma. The State constituted a committee to study the scheme following concerns that the scheme “strengthens the system of caste-based vocation”. The committee recommended that the criterion that the family of an applicant should be engaged in a family-based traditional trade be done away with; the minimum age be increased to 35 years to help the beneficiaries make an informed choice to continue their family trade; and the verification of beneficiaries in rural areas be done by the Village Administrative Officers of the Revenue Department rather than the gram panchayat heads. The Chief Minister brought these recommendations to the Prime Minister’s attention. However, a March 15 communication from the Union Minister made no mention of the changes suggested, Mr. Stalin said.
Observing that his government would develop a more inclusive and comprehensive scheme for artisans, Mr. Stalin said, “This scheme will provide holistic support to all artisans, irrespective of their caste or family occupations. Such a scheme will serve to provide them with financial assistance, training, and all the required support for their development…”
Published – November 28, 2024 12:15 am IST
