Poshan Tracker app aims to enhance Anganwadi Worker’s capacity to deliver optimal early childhood care and education services to all children Till now, over 36,000 SLMTs and 420,000 Anganwadi Workers trained Nationwide under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi Program
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:31PM by PIB Delhi
Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) Programme was launched on 10th May, 2023 with an objective to improve the quality of education in the Anganwadi centers along with the focus on nutrition.
This national initiative aims to provide all 13.9 lakh Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) with a 5 day in person training – 3 days in Round 1 (2023-25) and 2 days in Round 2 (2025-26). A Two Tier Training PBPB Implementation Model is being followed. Tier 1 involves two days training of State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs). Tier 2 involves a 3 Days Training of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs). It covers curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment tools, emphasizing play-based, activity-based learning.
Capacity-building under PBPB helps to facilitate implementation of Aadharshila (National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education for Children from Three to Six Years) and Navchetana (National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation for Children from Birth to Three Years) at the Anganwadi Centre level in the mother tongue. Up to 27th March, 2025, 36,424 SLMTs have been trained under Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi programs in Round 1 across the country and 420,360 Anganwadi Workers have been trained across the country including 35,174 AWWs from the State of Maharashtra.
In PBPB Round 1, Day 1 training schedule covers sessions including Introduction to Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Developmental Domains and Play-based ECCE activities, and Weekly and Daily schedule as per Aadharshila and home visits as per Navchetana, Day 2 covers nutrition, including IYCF, SAM/MAM treatment micronutrient deficiencies, Dietary Guidelines, Growth Monitoring, parental engagement and community mobilization, etc. Day 3 covers divyang inclusion and birth to three stimulation, child assessments and learning outcomes, home visits and practices during pregnancy known as “Garbh Sanskar”, States best practices, etc.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has leveraged the Poshan Tracker application to empower Anganwadi Workers and provide them with continuous digital support and coaching. This initiative aims to enhance their capacity to deliver optimal early childhood care and education services to all children.
As part of the digital training efforts, daily learning prompts based on Aadharshila are sent to all AWWs through the Poshan Tracker app. These include two ECCE activity videos and one voice note summarizing the day’s activities for children aged 3 to 6 years at Anganwadi Centres. The content follows a structured 44-week curriculum, with 36 weeks of active learning and 8 weeks for recap and reinforcement. Over 230 unique videos, 180+ voice notes, and 1,000+ activity PDFs have been uploaded
The Government has approved the Plan to establish 2 lakh new multi-purpose PACS (M-PACS), Dairy & Fishery Cooperative Societies to cover all the Panchayats/ Villages across the country through convergence of various existing schemes of Government of India (GoI), including Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), etc, with the support of National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) and State/ UT Governments. The convergence of GoI schemes under this Plan enables newly formed Dairy & Fishery Cooperative Societies to set up and modernize necessary infrastructure for diversifying their activities, like, milk testing laboratories, bulk milk coolers, milk processing units, construction of biofloc ponds, fish kiosks, development of hatcheries, acquiring deep sea fishing vessels, etc.
Further, in order to diversify the business activities of PACS, the Government has circulated Model Bye-laws for PACS to all the States/ UTs, which enable them to undertake more than 25 economic activities, including dairy, fishery, floriculture, setting up godowns, processing, marketing of agricultural produce, custom hiring centers, Common Service Centers (CSCs), Fair Price Shops (FPS), community irrigation, etc. The registration of new PACS as multipurpose PACS enables them as well as their farmer members to diversify their business activities, expand their access to markets & credit and generate additional sources of revenue for themselves.
As on 27.1.2025, 12,957 new M-PACS, Dairy and Fishery Cooperative Societies have been registered across States/ UTs, with 17,10,224 farmer members associated with them, the details of which are enclosed at Annexure.
The formation of these newly formed cooperative societies enables their farmer members to get requisite forward and backward linkages to market their produce, expand the size of their markets, enhance their incomes, obtain credit facilities, and other services at the village level itself, thus contributing towards strengthening the rural economy.
*****
Annexure
State/ UT- wise details of newly registered Cooperative Societies
Sr. No.
State/UT
Total no. of newly
registered M-PACS, DCS and FCS
No. of associated farmer members
1.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
9
104
2.
Andhra Pradesh
897
18,018
3.
Arunachal Pradesh
33
1,337
4.
Assam
321
17,546
5.
Bihar
308
80,873
6.
Chhattisgarh
331
6,050
7.
Goa
12
247
8.
Gujarat
733
98,031
9.
Haryana
50
4,389
10.
Himachal Pradesh
411
8,556
11.
Jammu & Kashmir
1,118
22,840
12.
Jharkhand
248
9,858
13.
Karnataka
598
82,035
14.
Ladakh
4
371
15.
Lakshadweep
7
508
16.
Madhya Pradesh
613
27,350
17.
Maharashtra
889
65,008
18.
Manipur
95
11,216
19.
Meghalaya
206
11,994
20.
Mizoram
29
1,093
21.
Nagaland
14
657
22.
Odisha
1,535
6,87,126
23.
Puducherry
7
507
24.
Punjab
80
1,851
25.
Rajasthan
1,995
3,22,255
26.
Sikkim
57
1,192
27.
Tamil Nadu
520
36,271
28.
Telangana
82
2,345
29.
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman &
Diu
5
298
30.
Tripura
40
961
31.
Uttar Pradesh
1,464
1,79,926
32.
Uttarakhand
147
3,612
33.
West Bengal
99
5,799
Total
12,957
17,10,224
This was stated by the Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs organizes the following Youth Parliament Competitions in schools, colleges and universities throughout the country in coordination with the respective stakeholder organizations:
Youth Parliament Competition for schools under the Directorate of Education of Govt. of NCT of Delhi and Department of Education of New Delhi Municipal Council;
National Youth Parliament Competition for Kendriya Vidyalayas ;
National Youth Parliament Competition for Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas; and
National Youth Parliament Competition for Universities/Colleges.
In last three years, 7 such Youth Parliament Competitions were organized.
The participating educational institutions are nominated by their stakeholder organizations as per their organizational structures and not as per state-wise/city-wise/town-wise.
In addition to the above, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs also provides financial assistance to States/UTs for organizing Youth Parliament Competitions as per the guidelines of the Ministry, subject to receiving of the claims from them.
The Ministry has also introduced a web-portal of National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) to increase the outreach of Youth Parliament to hitherto untouched sections and corners of the country. All the citizens of the country can participate in the Youth Parliament programme of the Ministry through the web-portal.
During the last three years, a total of ₹ 49,34,599 has been spent on various activities in connection with Youth Parliament at school level. Out of this amount, financial assistance of ₹ 8,78,319, ₹ 2,99,769, and ₹ 2,00,000 was reimbursed to the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh respectively, for conducting Youth Parliament in their states. There is no dedicated state-wise allocation of funds for Youth Parliament in the Ministry.
There is no plan under consideration of the Ministry to encourage youth participation in legislative processes and parliamentary affairs apart from National Youth Parliament (NYP) and internships.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice; Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying is implementing a new Central Sector Sub-scheme namely the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) under the ongoing Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for a period of four years from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 at an estimated outlay of ₹6000. As of now, an amount of Rs. 11.84 crore has been sanctioned under the PM-MKSSY.
The Component 1-B of PM-MKSSY provides onetime incentive to the aquaculture farmers against purchase of insurance with farm size upto 4 hectares of water spread area. The ‘onetime incentive’ is provided at the rate of 40% of the cost of premium subject to the ceiling of ₹25000 per hectare of water spread area of the aquaculture farm. The maximum incentive payable to single farmer is ₹100,000 upto farm size of 4 hectares of water spread area. For intensive form of aquaculture other than farms such as cage culture, Re-circulatory Aquaculture System (RAS), bio-floc, raceways, etc. the incentive payable is 40% of premium. The maximum incentive payable is ₹1 lakh and the maximum unit size eligible is 1800 m3. The aforesaid benefit of ‘onetime incentive’ is provided for aquaculture insurance purchased for one crop only i.e. one crop cycle. Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Women beneficiaries would be provided an additional incentive @ 10% of the incentive payable for General Categories.
The Component 3 of PM-MKSSY provides financial incentive to fisheries micro and small enterprises in the form of Performance Grant to adopt safety and quality assurance systems in fish and fishery products through provision of performance grants against a set of measurable parameters. The quantum of Performance Grant is given in the following manner: (i)For a microenterprise, 25% of the total investment or, ₹35 lakhs, whichever is lower, for General Category and 35% of total investment or, ₹45 lakhs, whichever is lower, for SC, ST and Women owned microenterprises. (ii) For a Small enterprise, 25% of total investment or ₹75 lakhs, whichever is lower, for General Category and 35% of total investment or ₹100 lakhs, whichever is lower, for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Women owned small enterprises. (iii) For Village Level Organizations and Federations of Self Help Groups (SHGs), Fish Farmer Producer Organisation (FFPOs) and Cooperatives, 35% of total investment or ₹200 lakhs, whichever is lower.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April, 2025.
The Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV) initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) primarily aims to develop existing 100 coastal fishermen villages situated close to coastline in all coastal States and Union Territories(UTs) including in Karnataka as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV). The objectives of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen villages(CRCFV) initiative are to (i) create sustainable economic and livelihood opportunities to fishers living in coastal fishermen villages situated along the seashore, (ii) development of need based fisheries infrastructure in the coastal villages, (iii) develop the coastal fishermen villages as climate resilient and gorgeous fishing villages to attract tourist and coastal trade, (iv) promote to harness local fisheries potentials in a sustainable, responsible, inclusive, equitable and eco-friendly manner for economic prosperity of fishers, (v) provide safety and security of fishermen in coastal villages, (vi) improving the quality of lives of local fishers through accelerating fisheries and allied economic activities, (vii) make availability, fishing implements, techniques, infrastructure for post harvest& processing activities, safe landing &berthing, marketing, access to credit and extension services, (viii) involving local fishermen organizations, fisheries cooperatives, FFPOs, Non-Governmental Organizations in development and management of fisheries, (ix) exploring coastal tourism based on the traditional knowledge, local culture and heritage, (x) development of fisheries entrepreneurship, empowering of local youths and women through skill and entrepreneurship development and (xi) provide social security cover to fishers in the coastal villages.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying in consultation with the Government of Karnataka has identified five coastal fishermen villages in Karnataka to develop as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages under PMMSY and the villages identified in the State are; (i) Uppunda Madikal, (ii) Koteshwara, (iii) Kadekar, (iv) Bailuru and (v) Mattadahitlu. Under the Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages (CRCFV), 70% of unit cost/estimated cost is envisaged towards creation of infrastructure facilities in the village and 30% of unit cost/estimated cost is towards creation of fisheries economic activities in the village. Based on the gap analysis study in consultation with Government of Karnataka need based activities like establishment of multipurpose fisheries centres, high mast lighting pole & lighting, fish vending kiosks, net mending yards, ice plants/cold storages, fish drying yards, shore protection works etc have been envisaged for development in the identified villages in Karnataka to make the villages climate resilient and economically vibrant fishermen villages. The State-wise number of coastal fishermen villages for development as Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Villages are envisaged in proportion to the total number of coastal fishermen villages in the State and at present, there is no proposal for expanding the coverage of Climate Resilient Coastal Fishermen Village programme beyond the identified 100 coastal fishermen villages.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April, 2025.
The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with effect from financial year 2018-19 has been implementing Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) with a total fund size of Rs 7522.48 crore. FIDF inter-alia provides concessional finance for development of various fisheries infrastructure facilities to the Eligible Entities (EEs), including State Governments/Union Territories and State entities for development of identified fisheries infrastructure facilities. Under FIDF, the Department of Fisheries, Government of India provides interest subvention up to 3% per annum for providing the concessional finance by the Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) at the interest rate not lower than 5% per annum. The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying since the inception of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) in 2018-19, has accorded approvals to a total of 64 number of fisheries infrastructure development proposals of Governments of Tamil Nadu at a total outlay of Rs. 1574.73 crore with project cost restricted for interest subvention at Rs.1336.73 crore. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) being the Nodal Loaning Entities (NLEs) for State Implemented projects, has sanctioned loan amount of Rs. 1314.73 crore to the Government of Tamil Nadu and out of this, an amount of Rs. 956.05 crore has been disbursed so far to the State Government for implementation of the approved projects under FIDF. The Government of Tamil Nadu reported completion of a total of 47 projects while 16 projects are in progress and one project has not yet commenced by the State Government. The Central Approval and Monitoring Committee (CAMC) of FIDF monitors regularly the progress of the projects approved under FIDF and National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) as the Nodal Implementing Agency (NIA) of FIDF conducts the desk studies and need based field inspections of approved projects to ensure the timely completion of approved projects. Besides, the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying also reviews the progress of approved projects to ensure the timely implementation.
This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April, 2025.
Promotion of tribal art and culture in Madhya Pradesh Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing “Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission” (PMJVM) scheme through TRIFED to preserve and promote tribal art, culture: Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey
Posted On: 02 APR 2025 3:06PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey informed in Rajya Sabha today that Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India under the Centrally Sponsored scheme ‘Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)’ extends financial support to 29 Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) in States/Union Territories (UTs) including Tribal Research Institute Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on the basis of the Annual Action Plan submitted by the States/UTs subject to the approval of the Apex Committee chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Under the Scheme, proposals relating to infrastructural needs, research & documentation activities and training & capacity building programmes, organization of tribal festivals, yatras for promotion of unique cultural heritage and tourism and organization of exchange visits by tribals are organized so that their cultural practices, languages and ritual are preserved and disseminated. TRIs are primarily institutions under the administrative control of the State Government/UT Administration. The Ministry undertakes following initiatives for the preservation/documentation and promotion of tribal art, culture and handicrafts which are as under:
Tribal Research Institutes organize different events like National Tribal Craft Mela, National/State Tribal Dance Festival, Art Competition, Workshop – cum – Exhibition on Tribal paintings and state-level tribal poet and writers meet.
Research studies/publication of books/documentation including audio visual documentaries for promotion of rich tribal cultural heritage which includes preservation of tribal languages.
Research and documentation of Indigenous practices by tribal healers and medicinal plants, Adivasi Languages, agriculture system, dances and paintings, organization of literary festivals, publication of books written by tribal writers/ authors, translation works and literature competitions, etc. Preparing Bilingual Dictionaries, Trilingual Proficiency Modules, Primers for students of Class I, II and III in tribal languages under Multi-Lingual Education (MLE) Intervention in the line of New Education Policy 2020. Publishing Varnamala, local rhymes, and stories in tribal languages. Publishing books, journals on different tribal languages to promote tribal literature. Documenting folklore, and folktales of different tribes for preservation and promotion of tribal folk tradition. Collecting oral literature (songs, riddles, ballads etc.)
Ministry has developed a searchable digital repository where all research papers, books, reports and documents, folks’ songs, photos/videos are uploaded. The repositories can be visited at https://repository.tribal.gov.in/ (Tribal Digital Document Repository)
Government of India has declared 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas to honor all the tribal freedom fighters to remember and acknowledge their contribution to the freedom struggle and cultural heritage, and to re-energize the efforts for the socio-economic development of the tribal regions. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with other central ministries, state governments, and other institutions are celebrating the glorious history of its tribal people, culture, and achievements since 2021.
Development of bilingual Primers for the preservation of tribal languages and enhancement of learning achievement levels amongst the Scheduled Tribe Students.
Tribal cultural exchange programmes.
Further, Ministry of Tribal Affairs sanctioned Raja Shankar Shah Kunwar Raghunath Shah Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Jabalpur and Shri Badal Bhoi Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh to acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people and to exhibit rich tribal cultural heritage of the region. Both the museums were inaugurated on 15.11.2024 on the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
Moreover, as informed, Tribal Research Institute Madhya Pradesh has documented Bhili, Baigani, Korku, Mawasi and Gondi languages through folk tales, folklores etc organized tribal festival (Adirang) at Balaghat, Chhindwara, Shahdol &Betul district which included craft mela, photo exhibition and tribal food stalls besides tribal dances and video documentation of 9 Gond forts.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing “Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission” (PMJVM) scheme through TRIFED to preserve and promote tribal art, culture and handicrafts and for socio-economic development of tribal communities across the country including Madhya Pradesh. TRIFED organizes “Aadi Mahotsav” annually at Delhi to showcase tribal products at the national level. TRIFED undertakes retail marketing of tribal products through its TRIBES India Outlets & E-Commerce platforms. It also organizes Exhibitions like Aadi Bazaar, Aadi Chitra etc. at various parts of the country.
Further, under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), TRIFED undertakes empanelment of tribal artisan and procurement of various tribal products from them for generating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
Replying to a question of Shri Sadanand Mhalu Shet tanavade, the Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durga Das Uikey today informed in Rajya Sabha that TRIFED has entered into collaboration with organizations like NIFT and HPMC to encourage tribal entrepreneurship in February, 2025.
The MoUs, have been signed to support the tribal artisans with following main objectives:
Improving product designs.
Infusion of technology.
Enhancement of market access.
These MoUs aim to strengthen and spread the tribal products and promoting their culture in various parts of the country. These collaborations aim to provide wider market access through their online and offline platforms and assist in sustainable livelihoods to all sections including PVTGs. The initiatives will drive entrepreneurship, skill development, and global recognition of tribal craftsmanship.
TRIFED undertakes retail marketing of tribal products through TRIBES India Outlets as well as E-Commerce & Exhibitions. Partnerships with various organizations may expand the reach of tribal products by prioritizing their inclusion in production clusters, providing direct market access and implementing fair pricing mechanisms.
TRIFED has facilitated on boarding of more than 13,000 products made by tribal artisans/ producers on ecommerce platforms. On receipt of specific proposals, TRIFED may scale up similar partnerships with other organizations to further enhance the market reach of tribal products.
The Government implements various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every strata, including minorities, especially the economically weaker and lesser-privileged sections of the society. Ministry of Minority Affairs specifically implements various schemes for socio-economic and educational empowerment of the six (6) centrally notified minority communities, across the country. The Schemes/ programmes implemented by the Ministry are as under:
1. Educational Empowerment Schemes
i. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme
ii. Post Matric Scholarship Scheme
iii. Merit-cum-Mean based Scholarship Scheme
The Scholarship Schemes are implemented through National Scholarship Portal (managed by NIC) which is a continuously evolving platform. Scholarship payments are done through Aadhaar Payment Bridge System (APBS) under DBT mode so that benefit could reach to the genuine beneficiaries.
2. Employment and Economic Empowerment Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS)
ii) National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC): It implements schemes of Term Loan, Micro Finance, Education Loan & Virasat Scheme for socio-economic development of “backward sections” among the notified minority communities by providing concessional loan for self-employment income generation ventures across the country. The schemes of NMDFC are implemented through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by respective State Govt./ UT Administration, Punjab Gramin Bank and Canara Bank.
To monitor implementation of its schemes, NMDFC regularly conducts “beneficiary verification” and “impact assessment study” by engaging independent third-party organizations/agencies to assess the proper utilization & impact of NMDFC financing on the target groups across the country. NMDFC officials also visit different States/UTs for beneficiary interaction.
3. Infrastructure Development Scheme i) Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) : “Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram” (PMJVK) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and one of the flagship program of the Ministry for creation of community infrastructure in the Minority Concentration Areas of the country in the sectors viz. Education, Health, Skill Development, Women Centric Projects, Drinking Water and Supply, Sanitation and Sports. The aim of the scheme also includes to boost the social and economic conditions of the Minority Communities of that particular areas.
The projects under PMJVK are considered and approved on the basis of the requests received from the respective State Governments/UT Administration. The formulation of the project proposal submission thereof to the Ministry; execution of the approved projects and operation & maintenance of the completed projects is the responsibility of the respective State Governments/UT Administration.
National Commission for Minorities (NCM), a statutory body under the Ministry was established under the NCM Act, 1992. As part of its function, it receives petitions of minorities and takes them up with the appropriate authorities/ State Governments for necessary action. Further, to promote communal harmony, Hon’ble Chairman and Members of the NCM hold regular meetings with the representatives of the minority communities. Moreover, NCM conducts ‘Sarv Dharam Samvad with representatives of minority communities to discuss issues faced by the communities and promote communal harmony.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has been implementing various skilling and education schemes for socio-economic development of minorities to make them employment ready.
Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a flagship Scheme of MoMA which converges five erstwhile schemes and focuses on upliftment of minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership of minority women; and education support for school dropouts.
Prior to PM VIKAS, the Ministry provided skill training to youth from minority communities to increase employment and livelihood opportunities under the ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, and ‘USTTAD’ schemes, which have now been converged into the PM VIKAS scheme. No new targets were allocated under the said erstwhile schemes after 2020-21.
A brief of these schemes along with achievements made therein is as under:
i) Seekho aur Kamao (SAK) scheme, started in 2013-14, targeted to upgrade the skills of minority youth (14-45 years) in various modern/ traditional skills depending upon their qualification, prevailing economic trends, and market potential, that could earn them suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to take up self-employment. Since inception, about 4.68 lakh beneficiaries have been trainedunder the scheme.
ii) Nai Manzil schemestarted in 2015, and was implemented with an objective to benefit the minority youth who do not have formal school leaving certificate. The scheme provided a combination of formal education (Class VIII or X) and skills and enabled the beneficiaries to seek better employment and livelihoods. Since inception, 98,712 beneficiaries have been trained under the scheme.
iii) USTTAD and Hamari Dharoharschemestarted in 2015 for targeted capacity building and upgrading of the traditional skills of master craftsmen/ artisans. Since inception, about 21,611 beneficiaries have been trained under the scheme.
iv) Nai Roshni, a Leadership Development Programme for Minority Women was launched in 2012-13 with an objective to empower and instill confidence among minority women by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with Government systems, banks and other institutions at all levels.Since inception, over 4.35 lakh beneficiaries have been trained under the scheme.
Ministry engaged institutions of national repute namely, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID) and Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) to work in various craft clusters for design intervention, product range development, packaging, exhibitions and brand building etc.
Ministry initiatives like Hunar Haat and Lok Samvardhan Parv aim at creating awareness about the schemes and providing opportunities to upliftminority traditional artisans through showcasing and marketing their products. Since 2015 to till date, 43 such events have been organised by the Ministry across the country.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Minority Affairs & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Hong Kong Customs shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre with seizure of “space oil drug” and other kinds of narcotics (with photo) During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a 19-year-old man and found about 1.1 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine, 1kg of suspected cocaine, 1 500 tablets of suspected ecstasy, 100 grams of suspected ecstasy powder, and 102 electronic cigarette devices containing suspected cannabis oil inside a suitcase carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the arrested man to a nearby public housing unit where he lived for a search, and further seized 129 suspected “space oil drug” capsules, about 5kg of suspected cocaine, about 200g of suspected crack cocaine, 80 electronic cigarette devices, and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. Another man, aged 54, inside the unit was also arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement and stringently combat against trafficking of the “space oil drug”. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in drug trafficking crimes, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:23