Dr Vivek Joshi, Union Secretary DFS, MoF, chaired the 12th Meeting of J&K UTLBC at SKICC, Srinagar, focusing on the implementation of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme. During the meeting, the performance of banks in delivering credit under various schemes for the half-year ending September 2023 was reviewed.
MD & CEO J&K Bank and Convenor J&K UTLBC, Baldev Prakash; Principal Secretary Finance, Santosh D. Vaidya; and other key stakeholders were present at the meeting.
Dr Vivek Joshi emphasized the need to implement and popularize the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, which provides end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople. He highlighted the scheme’s role in realizing the Prime Minister’s vision for India to become a developed country by 2047. Addressing the meeting, Dr. Joshi stated, “I am here to impress upon you all that PM Vishwakarma is an ambitious program of the Union Government. With its primary focus on quality, the scheme has been devised in such a way that it could well serve as a template for all upcoming schemes of the Central and State Governments.”
He urged banks and line departments to play a significant role in ensuring that all eligible artisans benefit from the scheme, contributing to self-sufficiency, improved productivity, and the nation’s self-reliance.
Dr Rajneesh, Union Additional Secretary Ministry of MSME, provided an exhaustive presentation on the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, emphasizing its coverage, benefits, and processes. He highlighted the active participation of artisans and craftspeople, with around 19,000 applications received across the UT.
Principal Secretary Finance urged government departments and banks to utilize digital platforms for 100% KCC saturation and emphasized the need to shift focus from digitally enabled to digitally active accounts.
The meeting concluded with the General Manager of J&K Bank, Syed Rais Maqbool, presenting the financial achievements of various banks during the first half of 2023. The banks achieved 75% of the annual target under ACP, disbursing credit of Rs.38,909 Crore to 12,19,877 beneficiaries. The meeting aimed at fostering collaboration between banks and government departments for the effective implementation of various schemes, with a special emphasis on the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.