NEW DELHI: Pratima Bhoumik, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, informed Rajya Sabha regarding the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) yojana.
A number of existing schemes aimed to provide assistance to other backward classes (OBCs), economically backward classes (EBCs), de-notified tribes (DNT), scheduled castes (SC) and Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers, were renamed to PM-DAKSH Yojana. A total of Rs 450.25 crore has been sanctioned under the scheme for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The scheme has been launched to boost the skill level of the targeted youth population with the help of short term and long term skills. PM-DAKSH Portal and Mobile App were launched on August 7, 2021, by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
PM-DAKSH Yojana is being implemented by three public sector undertaking (PSUs) of the Ministry namely National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
Under the scheme, beneficiaries are given training by the reputed government and private training institutes. Apart from that, a stipend of Rs 1500 per month for SC and Safai Karamchari and Rs 1000 per month is provided for the OBC, EBC and DNT candidates for the non-residential short term and long term training. While for the upskilling training programme, trainees will be provided with Rs 2500 per person per programme to SC, OBC, EBC and DNT candidates, and Rs 500 per person will be provided, to Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers, as a stipend.