New Delhi [India]: The Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) scheme aims to promote the socio-economic development of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Denotified Tribes (DNTs) and sanitation workers, including waste collectors, by providing them with skill training. Self-employment and wage based employment opportunities are encouraged by imparting training through training institutes empanelled under the scheme.
Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21
PM-DAKSH is a Central Sector Scheme, which was launched during the year 2020-21. Under the scheme, various skill training is provided to the eligible people of the target group to enhance their employability. The broad objective is to link beneficiaries with employment and self-employment through training.
The implementation was done through three corporations.
The scheme was implemented through three Corporations of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. These include the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).
Reimbursement of Training Cost to Training Institutes
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment releases funds to these corporations. These corporations then reimburse the training cost as per the guidelines and mandate of the PM-DAKSH Scheme to the training institutions empanelled under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Mandatory placement of 70% trained candidates
Under the scheme, it was mandatory for the training institutes to provide employment to at least 70% of the trained candidates after completion of training. This includes both wage-based employment and self-employment. Failure to provide employment was not the third installment amounting to 30% of the training cost.
Collaboration with industries is also imperative
It was also mandatory for the training institutes to maintain collaboration with the respective industries with the objective of providing employment opportunities to the trained candidates. Further, the three corporations associated with the scheme also provided necessary guidance and assistance along with providing credit facilities to the eligible youth of the target group to set up their projects.
Rs 276.47 crore allocated, Rs 309.5 crore spent
From 2020-21 to 2023-24, a total amount of Rs. 276.47 crore was allocated for PM-DAKSH Scheme. The actual expenditure incurred so far in this period is Rs. 309.5 crore.
More than 1.87 lakh candidates received training
During the years 2020-21 to 2023-24, a total of 1,87,305 candidates were trained under the PM-DAKSH scheme. Out of these, 96,162 candidates were provided employment. Employment included self-employment along with wage-based employment.
Evaluation study reveals effectiveness of training
The evaluation study of the PM-DAKSH scheme has yielded positive results of its relevance and effectiveness of training. More than 90% of beneficiaries reported that the training was tailored to their career goals and the needs of the local labor market. The beneficiaries also acknowledged that the training achieved the expected learning outcomes.
Improving Self-Confidence and Social Identity
The study’s impact findings revealed significant non-economic benefits such as improvements in self-confidence, self-esteem, and social identity. These gains were particularly noteworthy among women and disadvantaged groups. This indicates that the impact of the scheme was not limited to employment and income but also contributed to the social and personal empowerment of the beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries continuously using the skills acquired
The findings related to the sustainability of the scheme were also mainly positive. Most of the beneficiaries are continuously utilizing the skills acquired during the training. Also, a large number of beneficiaries expressed hope that the income will increase in the future. Many beneficiaries are reinvesting in their development and feel able to sustain these improvements independently.
Merger with PMKVY from FY 2024-25
It was decided to subsummate the PM-DAKSH scheme with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship from FY 2024-25. The PM-DAKSH scheme operated as a supplementary scheme to PMKVY and under it, all employment roles for skill training were taken from the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal, which was also covered under PMKVY.
Decision taken to avoid duplication of schemes
It was decided to avoid duplication of schemes in view of the similarity in training roles and digital platform level between PM-DAKSH and PMKVY. With this objective, PM-DAKSH scheme was subsumed under PMKVY from FY 2024-25.
[DD News]