Question : SUPPORT TO TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME

(a) whether the Government has invited applications from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to impart skill development training to rural women under the Support to Training and Employment Programme (STEP) in the recent past;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds provided to such NGOs under the said scheme during each of the last three years, NGO-wise;

(c) the number of the said NGOs seeking financial assistance under the said scheme found fake along with the action taken/ being taken by the Government against such NGOs during the said period, NGO-wise;

(d) the mechanism put in place by the Government for thorough verification of the applications received under the said scheme;

(e) whether the Government proposes any new scheme for training and employment for women in the country, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the other corrective steps taken/ being taken by the Government for proper implementation of the said scheme across the country?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SMT. MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has invited applications from organizations/ NGOs as per revised guidelines of Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme. The guidelines were revised in December 2014.

(b) The Ministry has been administering ‘Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme’ 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 including rural women. The grant- in-aid under the Scheme is given to institutions/ organizations including NGOs. The assistance under STEP Scheme will be available in any sector for imparting skills related to employability and entrepreneurship, including but not limited to the Agriculture, Horticulture, Food Processing, Handlooms, Tailoring, Stitching, Embroidery, Zari etc, Handicrafts, Computer & IT enable services along with soft skills and skills for the work place such as spoken English, Gems & Jewellery, Travel & Tourism, Hospitality. Details of funds allocated to eligible Organizations including NGOs under the STEP Scheme during the last three years is Annexed.

(c) & (d): No NGOs have been found fake. The proposals are considered as per the scheme guidelines. For proposals of organizations from North Eastern States, verification of credentials is got done through Ministry of Home Affairs before release of funds.

(e) & (f): No. The STEP Scheme is implemented as per the scheme guidelines formulated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The guidelines have been revised in December, 2014. In addition, other sector specific Ministries and State Governments have skill development programmes of their own. For proper implementation of the scheme, the guidelines envisage concurrent monitoring/evaluation of the projects funded under the scheme.