PM VIKAS Scheme

About PM VIKAS Scheme:

• It is a Central Sector Scheme.
• It focuses on socio-economic empowerment of minority communities.
• It aims to ensure inclusive growth for not only the minority and artisan communities but also for the youth and women. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs
• Objectives of PM VIKAS Scheme:
  • Skill Development: To build capacity of minority communities through targeted interventions by providing skill training support in need-based courses and ensuring employment.
  • Cultural Preservation: To preserve and promote the cultural heritage including traditional arts and craft forms by propagation of literature/ documents/ manuscripts and showcasing their unique ICH.
  • Educational Support: To provide formal education and certification up to 8th, 10th, and 12th through open schooling to school dropouts from minority communities.
  • Leadership and Entrepreneurship: To empower women from minority communities and instil confidence amongst them by providing leadership and entrepreneurship support.
• Key Features of PM VIKAS Scheme:
  • The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) has been given the responsibility of providing finance to the communities. 
  • School dropouts are given formal education as well as certification.
  • The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts provides market linkages in order to provide livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries. 
  • The ‘Hub and Spoke’ model is used to establish Vishwakarma Villages to support the artisans and their crafts.