Over 1.87 Lakh SC, OBC And Poor Candidates Skilled Under PM-DAKSH Scheme

(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, Oct 22 (IANS) Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) scheme has succeeded in imparting training skills to over 1.87 lakh candidates from SC, OBC, EWS, de-notified tribes and safai karamcharis including waste pickers through from 2020-21 to 2023-24, out of which 96,162 candidates were given placement offers for jobs, according to factsheet issued by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Thursday.

An evaluation study of the PM-DAKSH scheme shows strong relevance and learning effectiveness, with over 90 per cent of beneficiaries reporting alignment of training with career goals, local labour market needs and achievement of intended learning outcomes. Impact results indicate strong non-material gains such as improved confidence, self-esteem and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalized groups, the factsheet states.

Sustainability outcomes are largely positive, with most beneficiaries continuing to use acquired skills, expecting long-term income growth, reinvesting in development, and feeling capable of maintaining improvements independently.

Against the total funds allotted for PM-DAKSH from 2020-21 to 2023-2024 of Rs 276.47 crore, actual expenditure to the tune of Rs 309.5 crore has been incurred till date.

PM-DAKSH, a Central Sector scheme, was launched during 2020-21 to provide skill training to SC, OBC, EWS, De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis including waste pickers through empanelled training institutes for encouraging self-employment and wage-employment for their socio-economic development.

The scheme was implemented by three Corporations of Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) namely, National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

DoSJE releases funds to the Corporations which reimburse the cost of training to the institutes which are empanelled under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), a scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

After the training is completed, institutes are required to provide employment to at least 70 per cent of the trained candidates, failing which, the release of the third installment, which constitutes 30 per cent of the training cost, is forfeited.

Further, the training institutes are mandated to maintain collaboration with the relevant industries to facilitate employment opportunities for the trained candidates. The three corporations extend loan facilities and assistance to the eligible youth of the target group in setting up their projects by handholding them.

From 2024-25 onwards, it was decided to merge PM-DAKSH Scheme with PMKVY Scheme of MSDE, as the PM-DAKSH Scheme was an additionality to the PMKVY and all job roles for providing skill training were taken from the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal which were also covered under PMKVY. Therefore, to avoid any duplication, PM DAKSH was subsumed under PMKVY, the factsheet added.

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