NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today, February 1, announced, a package of help for artisans and craftspeople while presenting the Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament.

 The newly-conceptualized PM-VIKAS scheme will enable India's artisans and craftspeople to improve the quality, scale, and reach of their products, integrating them with the Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises value chain.

The Finance Minister stated that "ancient craftspeople and artists who worked with their hands and utilising tools have brought fame to India for generations," adding that they are typically referred to as "Vishwakarma." She said, the art and handicrafts produced by the Vishwakarma embody the ideal of an independent India and invoke the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

The Minister highlighted some of the key components of the new scheme as under:

Financial Assistance, Access to advanced skill training, Brand promotion, Knowledge of modern digital techniques and efficient green technologies, Digital payments, Linkage with local and global markets, Social security.

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