Social Justice and Empowerment

 1. NASHA MUKT BHARAT ABHIYAN

To tackle the issue of Substance Abuse and a vision to make India Drug Free, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020, in 272 Districts identified as most vulnerable in terms of usage of drugs in the country. These vulnerable districts were identified on the basis of findings from the Comprehensive National Survey and the inputs provided by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

The Abhiyaan is a three-pronged attack combining the supply curb by Narcotics Control Bureau, Outreach and Awareness and Demand Reduction effort by Social Justice and Empowerment and treatment through Health Department

Youth, Educational Institutions, Women, Children, Civil Society Organizations/NGOs are envisioned as major target populations and stakeholders of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in the identified 272 districts on 15th August 2020 and since its launch, a wide range of activities have been conducted throughout the country that have fostered participation from all quarters of society and stakeholders. District Level Nasha Mukt Committees which are headed by the District Collector/Magistrate charted out, planned and taken the lead in the implementation of the Abhiyaan in their respective districts.

• Till now through the various activities undertaken for the Abhiyaan, 1.4+ Crore people have been reached out so far in the identified districts

• More than 45+ lakh youth have actively participated in the activities of the Abhiyaan
• The contribution of 29.5+ Lakh women have been vital in reaching out to a larger community through the Anganwadi & ASHA Workers, ANMs, MahilaMandals& Women SHGs
• Across the country till now, 30+ lakh students have been reached with events, competitions and sessions organized in 55,000+ educational institutions such as schools & colleges
• Master Volunteers have been selected and trained to lead the Abhiyaan activities in the 272 identified districts. A strong network of 8,000+ Master Volunteers are actively participating in the Abhiyaan.  
• The Ministry has tried to take over the online space and engage with the various stakeholders through a range of activities and online events. The Social Media accounts of the Abhiyaan on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram have acted as effective medium for the online presence. 
• A host of online events like Panel Discussion with DC/DMs, Expert Panel Discussion, Online competitions etc. have also been organized with the involvement and participation from the highest authorities from the Ministry as well as the States & Districts, subject matter & domain experts from different fields, professionals working in the area of substance abuse and the youth at large. 
• A Mobile Application for the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched by the Ministry to gather and collect the data and the information of the activities that are happening on-ground. This App is being used by the selected Master Volunteers who are involved in organizing and conducting activities for the Abhiyaan and also by the District Officials. All this collected data is represented in the NMBA Dashboard where detailed information can be viewed on a district, state and national level. 
• A Website (http://nmba.dosje.gov.in) for the NMBA has been made live and public with the intention of providing detailed information and insights to the user/viewer about the Abhiyaan. 
• The NMBA website also has an interactive space for Forum & Discussion to questions on anything related to substance abuse which is answered within the next 24 hours by subject matter and domain experts who are affiliated to eminent institutions like NIMHANS & PGIMER
• All the rehabilitation, treatment and counselling facilities supported by the Ministry have been geo-tagged 
• (https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1tdLtmShkciGDV57B25ZpzI_Mp6CDiN7U&ll=23.65618657066699%2C85.93051471425989&z=5)  to make them accessible and easier to locate. 
• A short film on the Abhiyaan, its objectives and the efforts of the districts has been made 
• Eminent Universities & Colleges across the country such as Christ University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, VIT are actively involved in the implementation of Abhiyaan activities in their campuses and vulnerable communities present around them. 
• To celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry has planned to declare 100 districts as 'Drug Sensitized Districts’ from August 2021 to August 2022 as per defined parameters

2. SMILE-Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livlihood and Enterprise.

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated an umbrella scheme “SMILE - Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”, which includes two sub-schemes - ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons’ and ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’. This umbrella scheme covers several comprehensive measures including welfare measures for both transgender persons and persons who are engaged in the act of begging with focus extensively on rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, education, skill development, economic linkages etc with the support of State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies, Voluntary Organizations, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and institutions and others. The Scheme is expected to be launched soon.

3. Post –Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students.

Under Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students, the Union Cabinet approved transformatory changes in the scheme in December, 2020 for the period of 2020-21 to 2025-26 which included fixed sharing pattern of 60:40 between Centre & States and DBT of Central Share to beneficiaries from 2021-22 onwards. Despite having a short implementation time of the revised scheme during March 2021, the achievement of the release made under the scheme was extraordinary and over 105% of the allocated budget. The central assistance amounting to Rs. 4008.60 cr was released covering over 62 lacs beneficiaries (exact figure yet to be reported by States).

As one of the major interventions of the Government was to introduce direct central share to the beneficiary account from FY2021-22 inwards, the Department successfully implementing this provision and in this regards an amount of Rs 245.42 cr has been released to over 4 lakh beneficiaries on 6th December, 2021 as of now.

4. Achievements of NSKFDC

1. Achievements of loaning scheme of NSKDSC

• NSKFDC has disbursed Rs. 99.33 Cr to its Channelizing Agencies for extending the benefits of various loan schemes of NSKFDC to 21869 beneficiaries during the calendar year 2021 as on 21.12.21. 
• With a view to promote mechanized cleaning and also provide livelihood opportunities to the target group, NSKFDC is also providing financial assistance under its Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) for procurement of mechanized cleaning equipments. The beneficiaries from the target group are provided long term work contact for mechanized cleaning from the Urban Local Bodies and related equipments/vehicles are financed under SUY scheme with provision of capital and interest subsidy under SRMS scheme.
• 28 Loan Mela’s were organised in various cities under Safaimitra Surkasha Challenge to provide financial assistance to target group of NSKFDC for procurement of mechanised cleaning equipments/vehicles under Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) of NSKFDC. 
• NSKFDC has also provided capital subsidy of Rs.5.19 Cr against 142 beneficiaries from the target group of NSKFDC for procurement of 117 units of mechanized cleaning equipments having total cost of Rs. 13.73 Cr.

2. Swachhta Udyami Yojna (SUY)

Swachhta Udyami Yojna (SUY) was launched by NSKFDC on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 2014 with twin objectives of cleanliness and providing livelihood to Safai Karamcharis and liberated Manual Scavengers and their dependents. NSKFDC provides financial assistance to its target group for procurement of operation of mechanised sanitation related equipments and vehicles.

1. Financial assistance to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) of NSKFDC: Loans are provided to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) under SUY scheme of NSKFDC for procurement of any mechanised cleaning equipment/vehicle having unit cost not exceeding Rs.50.00 Lakhs as per the details given below:

Beneficiary Profile	Maximum Limit (upto)	Rate of Interest	NSKFDC Loan Share	ULB Share	Repayment period
Municipal Corporation/Jal Boards, Public Health & Engineering Departments, Cantonment Boards etc.	Rs.50.00 lacs per unit (no. of units could be more than 1)	4% p.a.(1% rebate for timely repayment)	90%	10%	Upto 10 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Financial assistance to is also provided through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) under Swachhta Udyami Yojana (SUY) of NSKFDC
3. Financial assistance to the target group under SUY Scheme 

Grant of Capital and Interest Subsidy under SRMS Scheme: NSKFDC is actively working for the objective of manhole to machine-hole transformation by providing upfront capital Subsidy and interest subsidy under SRMS scheme to promote this initiative.  

CAPITAL SUBSIDY:- Upfront capital subsidy is also admissible for procurement of mechanised cleaning equipments under SRMS Scheme as under:

 

Range of Project Cost (Rs.)	Capital Subsidy
For individuals
Upto Rs. 5,00,000	50% of project cost
5,00,000 to 15,00,000	Rs. 2.5 lakh + 25% of remaining project cost
For Group Projects:
Upto Rs. 10,00,000 per beneficiary with maximum project cost upto Rs. 50,00,000	Same as admissible to individuals subject to maximum Rs. 3.75 lakh per beneficiary

 

INTEREST SUBSIDY- The rate of interest as per the scheme is 6% per annum. The difference between the rate of interest charged by the Bank and the rate of interest as per scheme is paid as interest subsidy on monthly basis.

Progress under SUY Scheme For Sanitation Related Projects 

During 2021-22, so far 139 beneficiaries have been provided with upfront capital subsidy of Rs. 5.09 crores for procurement of equipments/machines related to sanitation related projects.

1. ACHIEVEMENTS OF PRADHAN MANTRI DAKSHTA AUR KUSHALTA SAMPANN HITGRAHI (PM-DAKSH) YOJANA

In 2020-21, Department modified the existing Scheme of Assistance to skilling for OBCs/EBCs/DNTs with inclusion of SCs and Safai Karamcharis including Waste Pickers and  renamed it as PM DAKSH Yojana,  a Central Sector Scheme. The objective is to provide high quality skills through good quality institutions and reputed Training institutes/partners (TIs/TPs) so as to ensure higher employability for the target group. Apart from this, rural artisans who have become marginalized owing to newer technologies in market, would be trained so as to adopt newer processes and increase their incomes. As approved by SFC, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is to continue Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, with a target to skill around 2,71,000 SCs/OBCs/EBCs/DNT/Safai Karamcharis including Waste Pickers during next five years (2021-22 to 2025-26) with a budget outlay of Rs.450.25 crore.

1.1 Initiative taken under PM DAKSH

• PM-DAKSH Portal and PM-DAKSH Mobile App were launched by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon'ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment on 07.08.2021.  The PM-DAKSH portal offers on-line registration for a Free of Cost Skill Development Training Programmes under 'Pradhan Mantri-Dakshta  Aur  Kushalta  Sampann  Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana'. Applications are invited from the candidates belonging to SCs, OBCs,EBCs,DNTs,  Sanitation workers including waste picker in the age group of 18 to 45 years. 
• The four interventions such as Up-skilling/Re-skilling, Short Term Training, Long term training and Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDB) are introduced for enhancing skill of them. The interested candidates may register themselves at pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in or on Mobile App "PM-DAKSH" to be downloaded from Google Play Store.
• Letter have already written to Principal Secretaries of State Governments and DMs/DCs to make wide publicity of the PM-DAKSH Yojana. 

       1.2 Year end Achievement of PM-DAKSH

• PM-DAKSH Portal and PM-DAKSH Mobile App were launched by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon'ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment on 07.08.2021.  The PM-DAKSH portal offers on-line registration for a Free of Cost Skill Development Training Programmes under 'Pradhan Mantri-Dakshta  Aur  Kushalta  Sampann  Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana'. Applications are invited from the candidates belonging to SCs, OBCs,EBCs,DNTs,  Sanitation workers including waste picker in the age group of 18 to 45 years in four interventions such up-skilling/re-skilling, Short Term Training, Long Term Training and Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDP) are introduced for enhancing skill of them.
• The portal has opened from 08.08.2021 to 30.09.2021 for online registration by the candidates. Status of PM-DAKSH Portal as on 30.11.2021 is as under:

Sl. No.	Interventions
1	Total number of Candidates Registered	51608
2	Total number of Registered Institute/Center	76
3	Total number of training/Courses offered	341
4	Total number of ongoing batches	537
5	Total  number of candidates for which training is commenced	19199

   The physical achievements, Corporation-wise, are as under:-

Physical Achievements (As on 30.11.2021)

Year	NSFDC	NBCFDC	NSKFDC	Total
2021-22*	6539	9770	2890	19,199
* Out of the target (49,800), the training programme has been commenced for 19,199 candidates. The commencement of further training is in progress.

 

• Financial Achievement

During 2021-22, an amount of Rs.80.19 crores has been allocated under the scheme. No fund has been released to the Corporations for PM-DAKSH in 2021-22 as it has been decided that the Corporations should first utilize the unspent amount lying with them and after utilization of 80% of fund released  to them in 2020-21, they may send the proposal for further release. 

2. SCHEME OF SELF EMPLOYMENT SCHEME FOR REHABILITATION OF MANUAL SCAVENGERS (SRMS)

1. The Scheme has been revised w.e.f. 1.4.2021.  Major revisions made under the Scheme are:-

1. Enhancement of limit of maximum amount of capital subsidy for self employment projects from Rs. 3.25 lakh to Rs. 5.00 lakh. 
2. Capital Subsidy to be paid upfront and not  back-ended, as earlier.
3. Sanitation workers and their dependants have also been made eligible for receiving capital subsidy and interest subsidy for sanitation related projects.
4. Assistance would also be admissible for group projects costing upto Rs. 50.00 lakh.  Each member of the group can have project share upto Rs. 10.00 lakh. Maximum capital subsidy admissible to each member of the group is Rs. 3.75 lakh. Maximum capital subsidy admissible to group upto Rs. 18.75 lakh.

2. During 2021, so far 142 sanitation workers have been provided capital subsidy of Rs. 5.19 crore for sanitation related projects.

5. Senior Citizen

On the occasion of International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), the Ministry organized a function at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi which was chaired by the Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. The Hon’ble Vice President of India was the Chief Guest in the function named Vayo Naman-2021. The following activities were done on the occasion:-

1. Conferment of Vayoshreshtha Samman- National Awards for Senior Citizens 

The Hon’ble Vice President of India conferred Vayoshreshtha Samman to 05 institutions and 06 individuals. The Awards were conferred to institutions for providing services in the field of welfare of the elderly, and to individual senior citizens for showing exemplary work in different fields. 

2. Dedicating Elderline to the Nation

The Hon’ble Vice President of India dedicated a toll free National Helpline for Senior Citizens named Elderline – 14567- to the Nation. The Helpline provides a platform to the senior citizens for grievance redressal. The Helpline also contributes in the field of awareness generation in respect of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act, 2007, and the Schemes of the Central Government meant for welfare of senior citizens.

3. Launching of SACRED Portal

A portal namely Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED) (https://sacred.dosje.gov.in/) was launched by the Hon’ble Vice President of India. The portal was launched to provide employment to willing senior citizens by virtually matching their preferences with preferences of companies ready to engage such senior citizens.

4. SAGE portal

A scheme for promoting Silver Economy in the country was launched under Atal Vayo Abhuday Yojana, which aims at assisting start-ups in the field of elderly welfare (silver economy) by the Government of India. These start-ups are to be assisted by way of equity participation of GOI subject to a maximum of 49% equity, and subject to a maximum Rs. 1 crore, per start up. On the occasion of IDOP, selected start ups for F.Y. 2021-22 were announced.

6. Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT Communities (SEED)

The Ministry, for the welfare of DNT communities has formulated a scheme namely “ Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNT Communities (SEED)” with total outlay of Rs. 200 Crore for next five years, having following four components:-

1. To provide coaching of good quality for DNT candidates to enable them to appear in  competitive examinations, 
2.   To provide Health Insurance to them, 
3.   To facilitate livelihood initiative at community level and 
4. To provide financial assistance for construction of houses for members of these communities.

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