The Government implements various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every strata, including minorities, specially 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, these schemes are implemented across the country. The measures taken during the last one year to fulfil the needs of the minority communities are as under:
1. Employment and Economic Empowerment Schemes

i) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS): The Ministry of Minority Affairs has launched Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘USTTAD’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’ and ‘Hamari Dharohar’; and focuses on upliftment of six notified minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership of minority women; and education support for school dropouts. Under the Scheme, the efforts are being made to improve economic prospects and livelihood opportunities of minority communities.

ii) National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC):

In order to fulfill the needs of the Minority communities and to bring them on par with national mainstream, NMDFC has enhanced the annual family income limit under Credit Line 1 from Rs. 98,000 in rural areas & Rs. 1,20,000 in urban areas to Rs. 3.00 lacs per annum in both rural & urban areas during the current financial year to enhance the coverage of its schemes.

2. Infrastructure Development Scheme

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, is one of the flagship program of the Ministry of Minority Affairs for creation of community infrastructure in the Minority Concentration Areas of the country in the sectors viz. Health, Skill Development, Women Centric Projects, Drinking Water and Supply, Sanitation and Sports.

The Ministry is working towards a convergence model whereby all the Schemes of MoMA is channelized to address the economic, social, and cultural deficits being encountered by otherwise neglected minority communities. Therefore, the Buddhist Development Program (BDP) of the Ministry was launched as a pilot initiative which addresses the diverse needs of the Buddhist population and advances their social and economic progress. The plan also includes infrastructural development in various sectors like Education, Health, Sports, Renewable Energy etc. through this project and cover majorly the Himalayan Belt starting from Ladakh to Sikkim. The respective States/ UTs/ CGOs implement and supervise the projects.

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.

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