PM-DAKSH Scheme

Why in News?

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has informed the Lok Sabha that the amount of funds allocated under PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana during 2020-21 and 2021-22 are Rs.44.79 crores and Rs.79.48 crores respectively.

Earlier, the Ministry launched ‘PM-DAKSH’ Portal and ‘PM-DAKSH’ Mobile App to make the skill development schemes approachable to the target groups – SC (Scheduled Caste), OBC (Other Backward Classes), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), Denotified tribes, Sanitation workers.

PM DAKSH scheme-

  • The scheme is being implemented from the year 2020-21.
  • Under this program eligible target groups are provided with skill development training programs such as Short Term Training Program, Up-Skilling or Re-skilling, Entrepreneurship Development Program, and Long Term Training Program.
  • These training programs are being executed by government training institutes, sector skill councils established by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and other credible institutions.
  • Eligibility-Marginalised persons of SC, OBC, EBC, De-notified tribes, Sanitation workers along with waste pickers, manual scavengers, transgender and other similar categories.
  • Implementation– It is implemented by the three Corporations:
  • National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC).
  • National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC).
  • National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

Status of Skill Development Training of Target Groups-

  • In the last 5 years, Skill development training has been provided to 2,73,152 people of the target groups.
  • Through these three corporations, a target of imparting skill development training to approx 50,000 people from the target groups has been set for the years 2021-22.

Significance of the Scheme-

  • Minimal Economic Assets- Most of the persons of the target groups have minimal economic assets, therefore, provision of training and improving their competencies is necessary for economic empowerment and upliftment of these marginalised target groups.
  • Empower Women- Women due to their overall domestic compulsions are unable to participate in wage employment which normally includes long working hours and sometimes migration to other cities, there is a need to empower women amongst the target groups.
  • Helps the Rural Artisans- Many of the target groups’ members belong to the category of rural artisans who have become marginalised in consequence of the introduction of better technologies in the market.

Other initiatives related to Skill Development-

  • Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana- It was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in 2021 in an effort to empower India’s youth with employable skills by making about 300 skill courses available to them.
  • Skills Acquistion and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood (SANKALP)- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which is collaborated with the World Bank. Its target is on district-level skilling ecosystem through convergence and coordination.
  • National Career Service Project- It was launched in 2015 to provide free online career skills training to job-seekers registered with it. NCSP is an initiative of the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
  • Atmanirbhar Skilled Employer Mapping- It was launched by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in 2020, it is a portal to help skilled people find sustainable livelihood opportunities.
  • Scheme for Higher Education Youth in Apprenticeship and Skills (SHREYAS)- The scheme was launched by the Ministry of Education. The scheme is to bestow industry apprenticeship opportunities to the general graduates exiting in April 2019 through the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).

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