With the aim of enhancing the competency levels of marginalized communities and fostering socio-economic development, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment introduced the Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana during the fiscal year 2020-21.
The initiative targets the upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Denotified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers. The core objective of the scheme is to make them employable for both self-employment and wage-employment.
Key Features:
Up-skilling/Reskilling: Ranging from 35 to 60 hours with stipends between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 8,000.
Short-Term Training: 300 hours over 3 months with a stipend of Rs. 22,000.
Entrepreneurship Development Programme: 90 hours over 15 days with a stipend of Rs. 7,000.
Long-Term Training: 650 hours over 7 months with a stipend of Rs. 45,000.
Training categories tailored to meet the specific needs of target groups.
Significance of the Scheme:
For individuals with minimal economic assets within the target groups, training and competency enhancement are essential for economic empowerment. The scheme recognizes the challenges faced by rural artisans and aims to address them through skill development. It also focuses on empowering women within the target groups who may face constraints due to domestic responsibilities.
Expected Impact:
From its inception in 2020-21 to 2022-23, the PM-DAKSH Yojana has trained 1,07,120 individuals, with 77,237 successfully placed in gainful employment. The scheme aims to diversify training opportunities and facilitate better employment prospects for the targeted communities.
Implementation Plan:
The strategic implementation involves the empanelment of 28 government and 84 private training institutes for the years 2023-24. A transparent process was adopted for the allocation of states, districts, and job roles, covering 411 districts, including 82 Aspirational Districts.
Budget Allocation:
The government has allocated a budget of Rs. 286.42 crore for the projected training of 1,69,300 candidates from 2023-24 to 2025-26.
Future Roadmap:
Adopting a forward-looking approach, the PM-DAKSH Yojana has discontinued the annual empanelment of institutes in favor of a three-year term, contingent on satisfactory progress. The latest job roles and a transparent allocation process set the stage for an inclusive and impactful future.
by Kapil Raje
