SYLLABUS
GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Context: The Union Minister of Minority Affairs recently apprised the Parliament about the status of the PM-VIKAS Scheme.
About the PM-VIKAS Scheme
• The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a Central Sector Scheme that converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘USTTAD’ and ‘Hamari Dharohar’.
• It focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis) through the following:
- Skilling and Training (Non-traditional and traditional)
- Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship
- Education support for school dropouts (through the National Institute of Open Schooling)
- Infrastructure Development (through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)
• Salient Features:
- It aims at the holistic development of minority communities through skilling, education, entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage preservation.
- The Scheme focuses on traditional and modern skill training, women’s leadership, education for school dropouts, and infrastructure development.
- Special emphasis on women, youth, and persons with disabilities from six notified minority communities.
- It provides financial support, market linkages, and credit access through convergence with other government schemes.
- 100% central funding for training, education, and entrepreneurship; infrastructure support via Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) on a cost-sharing basis.
Achievements of the Scheme
- The scheme promotes transparency, efficiency, and industry relevance. To date, 41 projects have been allocated, covering 30 States and Union Territories, benefiting over 1.34 lakh youth and artisans.
- It has successfully integrated and built upon previous schemes, providing education support for school dropouts, and offering access to credit and market linkages for artisans and entrepreneurs.
- The scheme is also promoting the preservation of traditional crafts and is actively working towards inclusivity by reserving seats for Persons with Disability (PwDs).