India is a country, needy of many welfare schemes for its formulation and implementation to liberate its people, who have been suffering from social disabilities and thereby economic constraints for many centuries. The rulers who are mandated to the land are highly responsible to curb social restraints and not forcing youth to be involved in their hereditary family occupation. No scheme should encourage the sustenance of social disparities in the society under the guise of economic liberation.
The BJP – led Union government introduced a retarding welfare scheme viz. Prime Minister Vishwakarma Scheme with the announcement of conserving the traditional professions in the country. Families who are carrying out artisan works like a blacksmith, carpenter, goldsmith, potter etc. would be provided with loan assistance to upkeep and develop their traditional artisan works. The activities covered under the Scheme number 18 were, all those which were performed as family occupation, generation after generation i.e. a son carrying out the same artisan work, did by his father.
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Apparently the PM Vishwakarma Scheme may appear that the scheme will enable to develop the profession of the assisted artisans, resulting in the so called economic betterment. The scheme conveniently forgets that people who have been restrained to carry out only their traditional artisan work are encouraged to continue the same profession, a dreadful feature of Varnasrama (a)dharma. Persons voluntarily choosing such traditional works may be encouraged but chance has to be given to traditional artisans whose mindsets are conditioned with their family occupation alone to choose the profession other than that of his family.
The minimum age for eligibility to get assistance under the scheme is 18. This conveys a message to the sons/daughters of such traditional workers that instead of pursuing their higher education at that age, they are being compelled (disguised voluntarily) to involve themselves in the family profession. The conditional mindset of the younger generation is diverted deliberately to carry on with their family profession. This is absolutely a retractive approach on the part of the government. Let them continue their studies from the age of 18. After the completion if they are interested to choose a job suitable to their studies, they may do so. This opportunity is denied to the children of the traditional artisan brought up in such environment. The money of government should not be wasted and spent on such welfare schemes, with the intention of making the youth carry on with their family profession. Independent India had not witnessed so far any welfare scheme like the PM Viswakarma Scheme. The Hindutva mindset of BJP has only led to the formulation of such conservative scheme. Without knowing the negative intricacies of the scheme, many State governments are encouraging its implementation, simultaneously projecting themselves as saviours of social justice.
The parental organisation viz. Dravidar Kazhagam founded by Thanthai Periyar (1879 – 1973) and presently led by Asiriyar Dr.K.Veeramani convened an all party and social organisation meeting on 29th August 2023 at Periyar Thidal, Chennai. In the meeting, the inherent nature of sustaining the family artisan was highlighted and extensive propaganda was scheduled about the negativity in the PM Viswakarma Scheme. From then onwards in any meeting, conference or internal meeting of the political parties (except BJP) discussion on the conservative and non progressive nature of this scheme find its agenda, and thereby implementation of the Scheme has been comparatively less in Tamil Nadu. The impact of Asiriyar’s speeches has obviously led to realisation and awareness.
Alternatively, Dravidian Model government of DMK in Tamil Nadu, being committed to the cause of social justice, formulated “Kalaignar Kaivinai Scheme”, eliminating the conservative features of PM Viswakarma Scheme. The Tamil Nadu State Scheme has covered a few more advantageous features, that would benefit the beneficiaries.
The fundamental difference between the Union Scheme and the State Scheme is that the former one is based on the persons who practices the artisan work traditionally; the State Scheme encourages everyone who is interested to perform an artisan work. The other differences between the two schemes are summarised as under:
The tentative beneficiary under the State Scheme can avail financial assistance after attaining the age of 35 years, that is he/she can pursue studies and take up the artisan work afterwards, if interested. The indirect denial of education is embedded in the Union Scheme, since the beneficiary can avail the assistance, immediately after attaining the age of 18 years which denies him/her pursuit of higher education. Naturally many people will be interested in getting the financial assistant because of their mindset to continue traditional profession, neglecting the option to pursue higher studies.
Sl. No. Particulars PM Vishwakarma Kalaignar
Scheme Kaivinai Thittam
(All India) (Tamil Nadu)
- Eligibility of Age Minimum 18 years Minimum 35 years
- Nature of the Only loan component Loan & Subsidy
Scheme of Maximum of Maximum of
Rs.2 lakhs Rs.3 lakhs & Rs.0.50
lakh + Interest
subsidy of
5 per cent - No. of artisan 18 25
works covered - Loan to be President, Village
recommended Village Administrative
by Panchayat Officer
In the State Scheme a subsidy component is added besides loan assistance whereas in the Union scheme, the assistance is confined only to loan amount. The number of artisan works are more in the State scheme. The coverage is wide.
The loan beneficiary will be identified by the Village Administrative Officer who is a revenue official accountable to the authority. In respect of Vishwakarma Scheme, the beneficiaries will be identified by the President of the respective Village Panchayat who is a non official. According to his personal preference he may recommend for the financial assistance.
In the State Scheme, Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam, the basis of the artisan work shows the commitment for the cause of social justice instead of following a tradition. In all respects, Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam is advantageous as well as beneficial to the applicant. Both the features of welfare and social justice are available under Kalaignar Kaivinai Thittam of Tamil Nadu State Government which was launched on 19th April 2025. The other States which are striving for social justice may formulate their scheme, similar to the scheme of the Dravidian Model Rule of State Government in Tamil Nadu.
