In his third foray into Assembly poll-bound Maharashtra in less than a month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Wardha in Vidarbha region on September 20, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, an occasion where he would extend benefits to artisans and crafts-persons.
Modi, who is in the Assembly poll campaign-mode even before the announcement of the schedule by the Election Commission of India (ECI) had earlier addressed a “Lakhpati Didi Sammelan” at Jalgaon in north Maharashtra on August 25 and laid a foundation stone for Rs 76,000 crore Vadhvan Port at Palghar in coastal Konkan region August 30.
At the “Lakhpati Didi Sammelan”. Modi had distributed certificates to 11 lakh “Lakhpati Didis” who recently became e Lakhpatis, released a "Revolving Fund" of Rs 2,500 crore, benefiting about 48 lakh members of 4.3 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHG) and disbursed bank loans of Rs 5,000 crore which will benefit 25.8 lakh members of 2.35 lakh SHGs
The August 30 2024 function was politically significant, considering that Modi had – in a damage-control effort – tendered apology to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s imposing statue at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district over the collapse of the revered Maratha king’s 35-feet tall statue at at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg district ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls.
At the first anniversary function of the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, Prime Minister Modi will dole benefits to artisans and crafts-persons under this scheme.
It may be recalled that Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana – known popularly as PM Vishwakarma was launched on September 17, 2023 in New Delhi.
The scheme – which is coordinated by the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) --is aimed at providing end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.
The scheme covers artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 trades - carpenter (suthar/badhai), boat maker, armourer, blacksmith (lohar), hammer and tool kit maker, locksmith, goldsmith (sonar), potter (kumhaar), sculptor (murtikar, stone carver), stone breaker, cobbler (charmkar)/ shoesmith/footwear artisan, mason (rajmistri), basket/mat/broom maker/coir weaver, doll and toy maker, barber (naai), garland maker (malakaar), washerman (dhobi), tailor (darzi) and fishing net maker.
At the function, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar will be present. A few union ministers will also attend the event.
