(a) whether the Government intends to launch any skill development initiatives under the Make in India and Digital India programmes, particularly for the minorities;
(b) if so, the details of the schemes along with the targets fixed for skill training therein and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up skill development centres on the unused land of wakf boards; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Minority Affairs has proposed to launch a new scheme of “Nai Manzil” in August, 2015. This is an integrated education and livelihood initiative for school dropouts and madarsa students. Moreover, Ministry has already launched various schemes/programmes for skill development and Digital Literacy for minorities under Make in India and Digital India Prgrammes in 2014-15. The details of the programmes and targets fixed therein are as follows:
(i) “USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development)”: The scheme was launched on 14.5.2015 to preserve rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities, set standards of crafts practiced by minorities, build capacity of poor traditional artisans/craftsmen and link them with market. A target of skill training of 1500 persons from the minority community has been set for 2015-16.
(ii) Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS): The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), a CPSE under this Ministry, has established MANAS on 11/11/2014. Based on market demand, the academy provides an All India level framework for Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (E&SDP), for imparting training to minority population with concessional credit linkages. As per Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ministry and NMDFC, 30,000 no. of youths have been targeted to provide entrepreneurship Development/Skill development through MANAS during 2015-16. MANAS has already trained 6000 trainees in 2014-15.
(iii) Cybergram: To impart Digital Literacy,this scheme is being implemented in identified Minority Concentration Blocks/Towns under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP) since 2014-15. The initiative covers the students studying in class 6th to 10th of Madarsas/Government schools having no facility of computer education. Since 2014-15, training of 3,61,257 minority students has been sanctioned in the States of West Bengal, Tripura and Uttar Pradesh. No targets are fixed under the scheme as it is based on proposal received from various State Governments/UT administrations.
In addition to above, the existing programme of “Seekho aur Kamao” is also contributing to “Make in India” Programme. “Seekho aur Kamao” is a placement linked skill development programme for minority youths, being implemented since the year 2013-14. This scheme aims at upgrading the skills of minority youths in various modern as well as traditional skills which can earn them suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to go for self-employment. The scheme ensures placements of minimum 75% trained youths, out of which at least 50% placement is in organized sector. Since inception, the targets fixed and achievements are as follows:
Year Physical targets (Number of minority Achievements (Number of minority
youths to be trained) youths sanctioned)
2013-14 20,000 20,164
2014-15 20,000 20,720
2015-16 25,000 17,450 (up to 30.6.2015)
(c): At present, there is no such proposal.
(d): Does not arise.
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