Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Launches ‘Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam’; ₹34 Cr Subsidy and ₹170 Cr Loans Granted to 8,951 Beneficiaries

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. M.K. Stalin, inaugurated the Kalaignar Artisans Welfare Scheme and disbursed ₹34 crore in subsidies and approved ₹170 crore in loans to 8,951 beneficiaries today (19.04.2025) at a special event organized at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Kundrathur, Kancheepuram district. The event was held under the framework of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Department.

During the same occasion, CM Stalin also inaugurated the Karavurani Coir Cluster (valued at ₹15.16 crore), the Palm Cluster in Sethunagar, Ramanathapuram District (worth ₹6.72 crore), and the Women’s Embroidery Cluster in Ayyankulam, Tenkasi District (worth ₹1.15 crore), all established under the cluster-based development program.

The Kalaignar Artisans Welfare Scheme is a state-level initiative launched in response to the central government’s PM Vishwakarma Scheme, which began in 2023 to provide financial and skill support to traditional artisans. Tamil Nadu, emphasizing inclusive development, announced the launch of this alternative scheme in its 2024-2025 Budget to extend comprehensive support to local artisans, including training, business development, and financial assistance.

Under the scheme, 25 traditional trades such as metal crafts, toy making, woodwork, lock making, clay arts, coir works, and embroidery are supported with subsidies up to ₹50,000, skill training through Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation and Construction Workers Welfare Board, and collateral-free loans up to ₹3 lakh at 5% interest. A maximum repayment period of five years is allowed.

During today’s event, CM Stalin also handed over loan approvals and certificates to banks such as Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Canara Bank, and Bank of Baroda, which had extended maximum loans under the scheme.

Additionally, the following clusters were formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister:

• Karavurani Coir Cluster in Sarattaiyur village, Thanjavur District – ₹7.29 crore project cost with ₹5.84 crore state subsidy.
• Palm Cluster in Sethunagar, Ramanathapuram – ₹6.72 crore project cost with ₹6.08 crore subsidy. The cluster includes 20 palm-based enterprises with around 200 artisans.
• Women’s Embroidery Cluster in Ayyankulam, Tenkasi – ₹1.15 crore project cost with ₹1 crore subsidy, involving 25 women artisans and 50 small units.

Furthermore, awards were presented to top-performing MSMEs in Tamil Nadu for the year 2023-2024:

• Best Micro Enterprise: Digit Business Services, Tiruchirapalli
• Best Women-Owned Small Enterprise: PRS Dairy, Dindigul
• Best Women-Owned Medium Enterprise: Kirya Semedical Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Kancheepuram

The event was attended by Minister for MSMEs Mr. T.M. Anbarasan, MLAs T.R. Balu, Selvam, Selvaraj, S.S. Palani, M. Babu, I. Karunanidhi, S.R. Raja, and key government officials including Additional Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam (IAS), Principal Secretary to Labour and Skill Development G. Veera Raghav Rao (IAS), and others.