The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India organised a ‘PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub Mega Conclave’ today in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. The event was held to commemorate the second anniversary of PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of MSME, Government of India, presided over the event, and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Union Minister of State for MSME, Government of India, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

Shri Nitish Mishra, Minister of Department of Industries; Dr. Prem Kumar, Minister of Cooperation and Shri Janak Ram, Minister of SC & ST Welfare Department of the Government of Bihar also graced the event.

The Union Minister of MSME, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi extended his warm greetings and expressed happiness at being in Bodh Gaya for the ‘PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub Mega conclave’. He extended gratitude to all the beneficiaries and added that the Ministry of MSME has taken several remarkable steps and organized impactful programs for them. “Through various schemes and initiatives, significant progress has been achieved, including in Bihar’s MSME sector. I warmly congratulate all beneficiaries and wish them success in moving forward as promising entrepreneurs,” Shri Manjhi stated.

The Union Minister for MSME stated that “ the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, launched on September 17, 2023, by Hon’ble Prime Minister, has completed two years. Aimed at empowering traditional artisans and craftsmen through recognition, skills, and prosperity, the scheme has registered 30 lakh beneficiaries in under two years. Of these, 23 lakh have received free skill training, 8 lakh toolkits have been delivered via India Post, and loans worth ₹4,100 crore have been sanctioned to 5 lakh artisans without any collateral”.

Shri Manjhi stated that in Bihar alone, 1.62 lakh artisans are registered, with 1.05 lakh trained and loans worth ₹160 crore given to nearly 19,000 beneficiaries. He further added that over 92% of the state’s beneficiaries belong to SC, ST, and OBC categories, with women comprising 33%. 735 artisans have received loans worth ₹7 crore in Gaya District.

The Union Minister of State, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, congratulated the beneficiaries attending the Mega Conclave. She extended her best wishes and encouraged them to become successful entrepreneurs. She especially inspired women to pursue entrepreneurship, highlighting their empowerment as the key to a brighter future.

Several senior officials from the Ministry of MSME, Government of India-including representatives from the Office of DC MSME, KVIC, NSIC-as well as officials from the Government of Bihar attended the conclave. More than 2,500 beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, NSSH, and PMEGP participated in the event. A total of 100 stalls were set up for an exhibition held from 17th to 18th September, 2025, showcasing and selling products made by artisans and craftspeople. In addition, technical sessions on marketing, branding, packaging, and related topics were organized to provide handholding support to the participants.

The mega conclave began with the welcome address by Dr. Milind Ramteke, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India. A presentation on MSME schemes and overview of the sector was given by Dr. Rajneesh, Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner (MSME), Ministry of MSME, Government of India.

The event featured experience-sharing sessions by beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma scheme. Loan certificates and toolkits were distributed to PMV beneficiaries, while PMEGP beneficiaries were provided with Margin Money (MM) subsidies. Additionally, sewing machines were distributed to beneficiaries by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), and appreciation letters were presented to beneficiaries under the National SC/ST Hub (NSSH).

The Ministry of MSME also signed MoUs with National Institute of Design Ahmedabad (NID) and Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) to strengthen the implementation of the PM Vishwakarma Scheme.

The mega conclave provides an interactive platform for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to expand their horizons. A significant number of beneficiaries under PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP and NSSH from Bodh Gaya and other Districts of Bihar and adjoining States participated in the event.

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AKS