Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening self-employment opportunities for traditional artisans and craftsmen at the Vishwakarma Swarozgar Evam Swadeshi Mela-2026 held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow.
Launching an exhibition and the Margin Money Loan Portal, the Chief Minister criticised previous governments, saying they were more focused on organising festivals in Saifai and importing a carriage from Birmingham for birthday celebrations than addressing the concerns of artisans. He said such governments had little time to think about swadeshi, self-reliance or the welfare of traditional craftsmen.
Yogi said his government had worked to restore dignity to traditional skills and connect artisans with changing market requirements. He recalled that the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme was launched on Uttar Pradesh Day in 2018, followed by the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana in 2019.
More Than Six Lakh Artisans Provided Training and Toolkits
The Chief Minister said more than six lakh artisans and craftsmen have received training and toolkits under the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana over the past seven to eight years. The programme is intended to help traditional workers upgrade their skills and establish sustainable livelihoods.
Under the scheme, beneficiaries receive 10 days of free training along with a ₹5,000 stipend. After completing training, they can receive toolkits worth up to ₹15,000. The government has also linked beneficiaries with banks to facilitate financial assistance for starting or expanding their businesses.
Yogi said traditional artisans such as carpenters, tailors, potters, blacksmiths, barbers, masons, goldsmiths, basket makers, confectioners, cobblers and washermen have historically contributed to society but were not provided adequate access to markets, banking facilities, technology and modern designs.
Scheme Expanded From 16 to 25 Trades
The Chief Minister said the number of trades covered under the programme has been increased from 16 to 25. Five additional traditional trades—sculptors, milkmen, flower garland-making gardeners, bhadbhujas and fishermen—have been included.
The expanded programme also provides opportunities in modern trades such as mobile phone repair, automobile repair, electronic equipment repair, electrical appliance repair, plumbing, computer repair, solar installation, digital photography and beauty parlour services.
Yogi said the objective was to ensure that artisans and skilled workers do not remain labourers but have the opportunity to become entrepreneurs.
Interest-Free Loans Up to ₹10 Lakh
The Chief Minister announced that artisans would be eligible for interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to ₹10 lakh, along with a margin-money facility of 10 to 15 per cent. He said the government would bear the interest burden, while beneficiaries would not be required to provide a guarantee for the loan.
He said the CM Youth Entrepreneur Scheme provides similar interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh to young entrepreneurs, while the limit has been enhanced to ₹10 lakh for artisans.
From September 25 to 29, toolkit distribution and loan facilitation programmes are being organised across districts. Bank officials will participate in these programmes to connect artisans with credit facilities.
UP Has 96 Lakh MSME Units, Says CM
Yogi said the government’s policies for artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs were contributing to the state’s economic growth. According to figures cited by him, Uttar Pradesh now has around 96 lakh micro, small and medium enterprises, providing employment to approximately 3.25 crore people.
He said Uttar Pradesh had once been described as a BIMARU state, despite possessing a large population, fertile land, water resources and a young workforce. He said the state had now emerged as a growth engine of the Indian economy.
UP Trade Show in Greater Noida
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Uttar Pradesh Trade Show scheduled from September 25 to 29 at India Expo Centre in Greater Noida. More than 2,500 exhibitors and over 650 foreign buyers are expected to participate, with products manufactured by entrepreneurs, artisans and craftsmen from across the state being showcased.
Yogi said he expected business transactions at the trade show to generate a turnover of ₹12,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore. He said orders and sales generated at the event would create additional income opportunities for artisans, craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
Toolkits and Financial Assistance Distributed
During the Lucknow event, Yogi distributed toolkits to beneficiaries of the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana from several districts, including Ayodhya, Barabanki, Unnao, Hardoi, Kanpur, Raebareli, Etawah and Lucknow.
He also distributed cheques for self-employment. Lucknow beneficiaries Prakash Deen Sahu, Rahul Kumar and Mohammad Mustaq received ₹8 lakh, ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh respectively. Unnao beneficiaries Rambabu and Anand Kumar received ₹1.50 lakh and ₹1 lakh.
An MoU with corporate training institutions was also signed, while the VSSY 2.0 Margin Money Loan Portal was launched.
125 Stalls at Vishwakarma Swadeshi Mela
The Vishwakarma Swarozgar Evam Swadeshi Mela-2026 is being held from September 17 to 19. The exhibition features 125 stalls covering ODOP, ODOC, Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Chief Minister’s Youth Entrepreneur Development Campaign, MSME initiatives, Sector Skill Councils, franchise brands and banks.
Artisans and entrepreneurs representing 25 trades are being provided guidance on business expansion, technological upgrading, market requirements, quality manufacturing, packaging and marketing. MoUs with corporate training institutions have also been signed.
Addressing the gathering, Uttar Pradesh MSME Minister Bhupendra Chaudhary said Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana and ODOP had benefited more than six lakh artisans and craftsmen in the state. He said the expanded Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana 2.0 would focus not only on training and toolkits but also on packaging, branding and connecting artisan products with e-commerce platforms.
Chaudhary also said that under the state’s pledge scheme, more than 205.8 acres of land had been approved in 14 districts, with 668 plots made available.
The programme was attended by MSME Minister Bhupendra Chaudhary, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner Deepak Kumar, Principal Secretary MSME Shashi Bhushan Lal Sushil, SLBC Convener Shailendra Kumar Singh, Commissioner and Director of Industries Vijendra Pandian, besides a large number of artisans and craftsmen.
