General Studies Paper 2

Context:

• Budgetary allocation for the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs decreased by 38% in 2023-24 compared to 2022-23. The major decline was in the allocation for pre-matric scholarships, free coaching for minorities, skill development and livelihoods programmes (including USTTAD scheme, Nai Manzil and Scheme for Leadership Development of Minority Women) .
• Also, allocation for the Umbrella Programme for Development of Minorities,which includes the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram and Education Scheme for Madrasas and Minorities,  fell from ₹1810 crore to ₹610 crore, which is a dip of 2% in allocation.

Major Schemes in India for the Welfare of Minorities:

• Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme:For educational empowerment of students, through  Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
• Naya Savera- Free Coaching and Allied Scheme:The Scheme aims to provide free coaching to students/candidates belonging to economically weaker sections of minority communities for preparation of entrance examinations of technical/ professional courses and competitive examinations.
• Padho Pardesh: Scheme of interest subsidy to students of economically weaker sections of minority communities on educational loans for overseas higher studies.
• Nai Roshni:Leadership development of women belonging to minority communities.
• Seekho Aur Kamao:It is a skill development scheme for youth of 14 – 35 years age group and aiming at improving the employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK):It is a Scheme designed to address the development deficits of the identified Minority Concentration Areas.
  • The areas of implementation, under PMJVK, have been identified on the basis of minority population and socio-economic and basic amenities data of Census 2011and will be known as Minority Concentration Areas.
• USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development):Launched in May 2015 aims to preserve the rich heritage of traditional skills of indigenous artisans/craftsmen.
  • Under this scheme HunnarHaats are also held all over the country to provide a nation-wide marketing platform to Minority artisans & entrepreneurs and to create employment opportunities.
• Prime Minister-Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM Vikaas):New PM Vikas has been added to the Ministry of Minority Affairs’ Budget in 2023.
  • It is askilling initiative focussing on the skilling, entrepreneurship and leadership training requirements of the minority and artisan communities across the country.
  • The scheme is intended to be implemented inconjunction with the ‘Skill India Mission’ of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and through integration with the Skill India Portal (SIP).