BANDIPORA: A district-level PM Vishwakarma Capacity-Building Programme was organised in Bandipora by the Branch of the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development and Facilitation Office, Srinagar, in collaboration with the District Administration Bandipora. The programme aimed at strengthening the capabilities of registered Vishwakarma artisans through focused sessions on Business Development, Financial Literacy, and E-Commerce/GEM onboarding.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, attended the programme as the Chief Guest and interacted with the artisans. She also reviewed the district’s performance under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and stressed the importance of ensuring timely delivery of benefits to all eligible beneficiaries.
During her interaction, the DC directed officers to furnish a tehsil-wise breakup of the training conducted under the scheme and to ensure branch-wise reporting of loan disbursement to track progress effectively. She emphasized that banks must adhere to set timelines, stating that loans should not be delayed unnecessarily. They should either be approved, returned with observations, or rejected with proper justification, she emphasized. She urged all stakeholders to work in coordination with a beneficiary-first approach.
Earlier, the Assistant Director, MSME (GoI), delivered a detailed presentation on business development strategies, highlighting how skilled artisans can convert their traditional craftsmanship into viable and sustainable enterprises. Dedicated sessions were also held to enhance financial understanding and facilitate onboarding of artisans on e-commerce and GEM platforms for better market access.
The event concluded with an interactive session, during which artisans shared feedback and sought guidance related to credit support, market linkage, and registration procedures. During the session, Officials from allied departments and stakeholder organisations, including financial institutions, and Vishwakarma artisans were present at the event.
