PM VIKAS Scheme:
The Union Minister of Minority Affairs informed the Rajya Sabha about the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme.
- It is a Central Sector Scheme.
- It focuses on socio-economic empowerment of minority communities.
- It aims to ensure inclusive growth for not only the minority and artisan communities but also for the youth and women.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
- Objectives of PM VIKAS Scheme:
- Skill Development: To build capacity of minority communities through targeted interventions by providing skill training support in need-based courses and ensuring employment.
- Cultural Preservation: To preserve and promote the cultural heritage including traditional arts and craft forms by propagation of literature/ documents/ manuscripts and showcasing their unique ICH.
- Educational Support: To provide formal education and certification up to 8th, 10th, and 12th through open schooling to school dropouts from minority communities.
- Leadership and Entrepreneurship: To empower women from minority communities and instil confidence amongst them by providing leadership and entrepreneurship support.
- The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has been given the responsibility of providing finance to the communities.
School dropouts are given formal education as well as certification. - The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts provides market linkages in order to provide livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries.
- The ‘Hub and Spoke’ model is used to establish Vishwakarma Villages to support the artisans and their crafts.
