The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry has suggested that the names of certain professions should be changed to make them more inclusive and professional, a news report has said. This will help the PM Vishwakarma Scheme to gain uniform acceptance across the country, the committee reportedly observed.
Launched in 2023 with a financial outlay of ₹13,000 crore for FY 2023–24 to FY 2027–28, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme aims to uplift traditional workers who use their bare hands or simple tools. It is implemented jointly by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry noted that several professions listed under the scheme are associated with caste identities in many regions, which could affect the scheme’s broader acceptance and inclusiveness. Therefore, the names of these professions should be changed to more neutral, work-based titles, Aaj Tak said in a report. The committee is of the opinion that it is better to rename mochi (cobbler) as "footwear artisan", kumhar (potter) as "ceramic and clay products maker", and nai (barber) as "personal grooming service provider".
It also recommended that the government consult state governments and social experts to prepare a new, standardised list of professions under the scheme that can be implemented uniformly nationwide. Experts believe that such reforms could help traditional artisans gain a more dignified identity and provide them with opportunities to progress as new entrepreneurs, the news report said.
As of 31 August 2025, approximately 30 lakh artisans and craftspeople have registered under the Vishwakarma Scheme. Artisans receive a PM Vishwakarma certificate and ID card for recognition, along with daily stipends of ₹500 during training periods. According to the parliamentary committee, the budget estimate for 2026–27 has reduced the allocation for the scheme to around ₹3,860.89 crore, compared to about ₹25,100 crore in 2025–26. The committee believes that such a sharp reduction in the budget is worrying, especially considering the scheme’s popularity and the high number of registrations.