PM Narendra Modi Launches Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, Adding to a Series of Beneficial Initiatives

NEW-DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his 73rd birthday on September 17, 2023, introduced the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, bolstering the array of public welfare initiatives established during his 9-year tenure. This new scheme is designed to benefit workers engaged in traditional skills and handicrafts, adding to a range of schemes aiming to support various segments of the population.

The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana is set to make a significant impact with a provision of Rs 13,000 crore allocated for the next five years, from 2023-2024 to 2027-2028. This initiative seeks to provide traditional artisans and handicraft workers with a Vishwakarma certificate and identity card, acknowledging and supporting their valuable contributions to society.

-- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

Among the existing schemes, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana supports the impoverished and homeless citizens, aiding them in constructing their homes. It aims to empower citizens living below the poverty line, assisting them in achieving their housing needs.

-- Jan Dhan Yojana

The Jan Dhan Yojana facilitates the opening of zero-balance bank accounts for individuals below the poverty line, offering not only the convenience of checkbooks and passbooks but also accident insurance and overdraft facilities.

-- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

In the agricultural sector, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana provides crucial financial assistance to small, marginal, and landholding farmers across the nation. This aid is delivered directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries in three installments throughout the year.

-- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ensures food security for 80 crore citizens, distributing free wheat or rice every month till December 2023.

-- Ujjwala Yojana

The Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, has transformed the lives of women by providing free gas connections and 12 subsidized gas cylinders annually to BPL cardholders.

-- Ayushman Bharat Yojana

With a focus on healthcare, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana extends free treatment facilities up to Rs 5 lakh for Ayushman cardholders, prioritizing the health of economically weaker sections.

-- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

The Modi government also introduced insurance-based schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, providing financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh to the insured's family in case of death, and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, offering accident insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh.

-- Atal Pension Scheme

Moreover, the Atal Pension Scheme, targeted at unorganized sector workers, encourages individuals to invest from the age of 18 to 40 years, ensuring a maximum pension of Rs. 5000 per month post-retirement.