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). 

Sources:
PIB
My Scheme