Why in news?
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs implements programmes/schemes for the six (6)centrally notified minority communities namely, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs as under:-
- Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme, Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme – For educational empowerment of students.
- Maulana Azad National Fellowship Scheme – Provide fellowships in the form of financial assistance.
- Naya Savera – Free Coaching and Allied Scheme – The Scheme aims to provide free coaching to students/candidates belonging to minority communities for qualifying in entrance examinations of technical/ professional courses and Competitive examinations.
- Padho Pardesh – Scheme of interest subsidy to students of minority communities on educational loans for overseas higher studies.
- Nai Udaan – Support for students clearing Prelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), State Public Service Commission (PSC) Staff Selection Commission (SSC) etc.
- Nai Roshni – Leadership development of women belonging to minority communities..
- Seekho Aur Kamao – 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) restructured in May 2018 earlier known as MsDP – Implemented for the benefit of the people from all sections of the society in identified Minority Concentration Areas for creation of assets in education, skill and health sectors.
- Jiyo Parsi – Scheme for containing population decline of Parsis in India.
- USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) launched in May 2015.
- Nai Manzil – A scheme for formal school education & skilling of school dropouts launched in Aug. 2015.
- Hamari Dharohar- A scheme to preserve rich heritage of minority communities of India under the overall concept of Indian culture implemented since 2014-15.
- Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) implements education and skill related schemes as follows:-
(a) Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for Meritorious Girls belonging to the Minorities
(b) Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme started in 2017-18. for providing short term job oriented skill development courses to youth belonging to minority communities. (c) Bridge Course for madarsa students & school dropouts by Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi under Nai Manzil scheme. (d) Swachh Vidyalaya.
- Equity to National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) for providing concessional loans to minorities for self-employment and income generating ventures.
In addition to the above, the Ministry also implements schemes for strengthening State Waqf Boards and coordinates arrangements for annual Haj pilgrimage.
Hunar Haat/Hubs for empowerment of the minorities
Ministry of Minority Affairs launched Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme in May, 2015 to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities.
The training component of the scheme was started from 2016-17. Hunar Haat is being implemented from 2016-17 as a component of USTTAD scheme.
- The Hunar Haat is an effective platform wherein opportunity is given to artisans/craftsmen and culinary experts from across the country to showcase and market their handmade, rare, exquisite indigenous products.
The Ministry has implemented Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) earlier known as Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, in 1300 identified Minority Concentration Areas (MCAs) of the country with the objective of developing socio-economic assets and basic amenities in these areas to bring them at par with other parts of the country.
- Thrust of the PMJVK is to allocate at least 80% of the resources in education, health and skill development sectors of which atleast 33-40% to be allocated for women centric projects.
- Construction of Hunar Hubs is one of the projects considered under the scheme with the objective of enabling artisans/entrepreneurs to carry out exhibitions/melas/food-courts/skill training under one roof in the identified MCD Hqrs.
Hunar Haats have generated employment and employment opportunities for more than 3.00 lakh artisans/craftspersons & culinary experts and associated artisans and have strengthened their market linkages for indigenous products
