News & Announcement
PIB Gangtok Holds Press Conference for PM Vishwakarma Scheme Exhibition-cum-Trade Fair at MG Marg
Gangtok, February 13 (IPR): The Press Information Bureau, Gangtok, conducted a press conference at the MSME Development & Facilitation Office today for the upcoming Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme Exhibition-cum-Trade Fair titled “Empowering Artisans, Shaping the Future”, scheduled to be held on 19th and 20th February 2026 at MG Marg, Gangtok.
The primary objective of the press conference was to create public awareness about the upcoming programme and to encourage active participation from the general public.
Assistant Director, Grade I, MSME-DFO, Mr Nirmal Choudhary, highlighted that under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, registered artisans receive official recognition through a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card, along with opportunities for skill upgradation, including basic and advanced training, a daily stipend of Rs 500, and a transport allowance of Rs 1,000.
The scheme also provides a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000 through e-vouchers/e-RUPI and offers collateral-free enterprise development loans of up to Rs 1 lakh in the first tranche and Rs 2 lakh in the second tranche at a concessional interest rate of 5%, with credit guarantee fees borne by the Government of India.
Additionally, beneficiaries are entitled to incentives for digital transactions and receive marketing support for quality certification, branding, e-commerce, advertising, publicity, and participation in trade fairs and other promotional activities.
Assistant Director, Grade I, MSME-DFO, Mr Akshay Murkute, emphasised that more than 50 artisans under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme from various districts of Sikkim will participate in the event, showcasing their traditional arts, crafts, and products.
He further noted that the scheme covers beneficiaries from 18 traditional trades, including carpenters, boat makers, armourers, blacksmiths, hammer and toolkit makers, locksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors & stone breakers, cobblers, masons, basket, mat and broom makers/coir weavers, traditional doll and toy makers, barbers, garland makers, washermen, tailors, and fishing net makers.
The exhibition aims to promote their work through product sales, market linkages, and enhanced visibility.
Likewise, seminars, cultural programmes, and open mic sessions will also be held on the same stage during the evening on both days.
The programme was also attended by Assistant Director, Grade II, MSME-DFO, Ms Nisha Rani, and Assistant Director, Grade II, MSME-DFO, Dr Rahul Kamble.
The primary objective of the press conference was to create public awareness about the upcoming programme and to encourage active participation from the general public.
Assistant Director, Grade I, MSME-DFO, Mr Nirmal Choudhary, highlighted that under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, registered artisans receive official recognition through a PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID Card, along with opportunities for skill upgradation, including basic and advanced training, a daily stipend of Rs 500, and a transport allowance of Rs 1,000.
The scheme also provides a toolkit incentive of Rs 15,000 through e-vouchers/e-RUPI and offers collateral-free enterprise development loans of up to Rs 1 lakh in the first tranche and Rs 2 lakh in the second tranche at a concessional interest rate of 5%, with credit guarantee fees borne by the Government of India.
Additionally, beneficiaries are entitled to incentives for digital transactions and receive marketing support for quality certification, branding, e-commerce, advertising, publicity, and participation in trade fairs and other promotional activities.
Assistant Director, Grade I, MSME-DFO, Mr Akshay Murkute, emphasised that more than 50 artisans under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme from various districts of Sikkim will participate in the event, showcasing their traditional arts, crafts, and products.
He further noted that the scheme covers beneficiaries from 18 traditional trades, including carpenters, boat makers, armourers, blacksmiths, hammer and toolkit makers, locksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, sculptors & stone breakers, cobblers, masons, basket, mat and broom makers/coir weavers, traditional doll and toy makers, barbers, garland makers, washermen, tailors, and fishing net makers.
The exhibition aims to promote their work through product sales, market linkages, and enhanced visibility.
Likewise, seminars, cultural programmes, and open mic sessions will also be held on the same stage during the evening on both days.
The programme was also attended by Assistant Director, Grade II, MSME-DFO, Ms Nisha Rani, and Assistant Director, Grade II, MSME-DFO, Dr Rahul Kamble.
