<p>Chennai: Tamil Nadu will not implement the PM Vishwakarma scheme in its "present form" as it "strengthens the system of caste-based vocation” and will design a "comprehensive and inclusive" scheme for artisans in the state that "will ensure social justice", Chief Minister M K Stalin announced on Wednesday.</p><p>In a letter to Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Jitan Ram Manji, Stalin recalled his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi written on January 4, 2024 requesting modification in the scheme like removing the mandatory need for applicant’s family to be engaged in a traditional trade.</p>.Gautam Adani bribery charges: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin evades direct reply; comes under attack from PMK, BJP .<p>However, a reply received in March from the MSME Minister, made no mention of the modification suggested by the Tamil Nadu government, Stalin said.</p><p>“The Government of Tamil Nadu, will, therefore, not be taking forward the implementation of the PM Vishwakarma scheme in its present form,” Stalin told Manji, adding that under the overall principle of social justice, the state government will develop a more "inclusive and comprehensive" scheme for artisans, which "does not discriminate based on caste". </p><p>“This scheme will provide holistic support to all artisans in the state, irrespective of caste or family occupations. Such a scheme will serve to provide them with financial assistance, training and all required support for their development, more comprehensively and inclusively,” Stalin added. </p><p>Tamil Nadu has been opposed to PM Vishwakarma, which provides end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 trades, saying it is nothing but a revised form of kula kalvi thittam (caste-based vocation) which was introduced by the then Chief Minister of Madras state C Rajagopalachari. The scheme was withdrawn due to intense opposition within Rajaji’s Congress and from several parties, including the DMK. </p><p>Stalin said the state government wanted the clause of family members to be removed and recommended that anyone who pursues any occupation listed in the guidelines should be eligible for assistance under the scheme, besides increasing the age criterion to 35 years. </p>.Allot more funds to fulfill the needs of growing elderly: Stalin to Centre.<p>The government also proposed that the onus of verification of the beneficiaries in rural areas be vested with the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) from the Revenue Department instead of the head of the Gram Panchayat.</p><p>However, none of these suggestions were accepted by the Union Government which has prompted the DMK dispensation not to implement the scheme. </p>
<p>Chennai: Tamil Nadu will not implement the PM Vishwakarma scheme in its "present form" as it "strengthens the system of caste-based vocation” and will design a "comprehensive and inclusive" scheme for artisans in the state that "will ensure social justice", Chief Minister M K Stalin announced on Wednesday.</p><p>In a letter to Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Jitan Ram Manji, Stalin recalled his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi written on January 4, 2024 requesting modification in the scheme like removing the mandatory need for applicant’s family to be engaged in a traditional trade.</p>.Gautam Adani bribery charges: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin evades direct reply; comes under attack from PMK, BJP .<p>However, a reply received in March from the MSME Minister, made no mention of the modification suggested by the Tamil Nadu government, Stalin said.</p><p>“The Government of Tamil Nadu, will, therefore, not be taking forward the implementation of the PM Vishwakarma scheme in its present form,” Stalin told Manji, adding that under the overall principle of social justice, the state government will develop a more "inclusive and comprehensive" scheme for artisans, which "does not discriminate based on caste". </p><p>“This scheme will provide holistic support to all artisans in the state, irrespective of caste or family occupations. Such a scheme will serve to provide them with financial assistance, training and all required support for their development, more comprehensively and inclusively,” Stalin added. </p><p>Tamil Nadu has been opposed to PM Vishwakarma, which provides end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 trades, saying it is nothing but a revised form of kula kalvi thittam (caste-based vocation) which was introduced by the then Chief Minister of Madras state C Rajagopalachari. The scheme was withdrawn due to intense opposition within Rajaji’s Congress and from several parties, including the DMK. </p><p>Stalin said the state government wanted the clause of family members to be removed and recommended that anyone who pursues any occupation listed in the guidelines should be eligible for assistance under the scheme, besides increasing the age criterion to 35 years. </p>.Allot more funds to fulfill the needs of growing elderly: Stalin to Centre.<p>The government also proposed that the onus of verification of the beneficiaries in rural areas be vested with the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) from the Revenue Department instead of the head of the Gram Panchayat.</p><p>However, none of these suggestions were accepted by the Union Government which has prompted the DMK dispensation not to implement the scheme. </p>