Question : Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women

(a) Whether the Government is implementing ‘Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women(STEP) scheme’ to provide skills and knowledge to women and if so, the salient features thereof;
(b) the details of project proposals submitted under the said scheme indicating the projects sanctioned and grant-in-aid given along with the number of beneficiaries covered thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; and
(c) the further measures taken for effective implementation and to expand the reach of the scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)

(a) The Ministry has been administering ‘Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP) for Women’ since 1986-87 as a ‘Central Sector Scheme’. The STEP Scheme aims to provide skills that give employability to women and to provide competencies and skill that enable women to become self-employed/entrepreneurs. The Scheme is intended to benefit women who are in the age group of 16 years and above across the country. The assistance under STEP Scheme will be available in any sector for imparting skills related to employability and entrepreneurship as identified by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship including but not limited to the Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Traditional Crafts like Embroidery, Zari etc, Handicrafts, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality.

(b) Proposals under the scheme are submitted by eligible institutions/ organizations including NGOs, and as per qualification/eligibility according to guidelines, approval/selection of projects are done. State/ UT-wise details of projects sanctioned during the last 3 years and current year is at Annexure-I and funds allocated to the various organizations for the said period is at Annexure II. Number of beneficiaries State/UT-wise covered under the Scheme during the last three years and current year is at Annexure-III.

(c) The guidelines of the scheme are revised regularly to expand the reach of the programme and strengthen the scheme. Latest guidelines was revised in August 2016.

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