Lok Sabha Question No. 46 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Spreading Awareness about Schemes
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Praveen Khandelwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *46

ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## SPREADING AWARENESS ABOUT SCHEMES

*46. Shri Praveen Khandelwal:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has considered involving recognised market or trade associations as communication partners to spread awareness of schemes like Seekho aur Kamao, PM-VIKAS or Nai Roshni in urban commercial zones and if so, the details thereof;

- (b) whether any pilot project has been done in Delhi and if so, the details thereof; and

- (c) whether the Government is planning to institutionalise such partnership model and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  46  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  23.07.2025  ASKED  BY HON'BLE  PRAVEEN  KHANDELWAL,  MEMBER  OF  PARLIAMENT  REGARDING 'SPREADING AWARENESS ABOUT SCHEMES'

(a) to (c) Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), launched by converging five earlier schemes, including Seekho aur Kamao (SAK) and Nai Roshni. The scheme focuses on the empowerment of minority communities  through  skill  development;  entrepreneurship;  leadership  training  for  minority women; and educational support for school dropouts.

The  Seekho  aur  Kamao  scheme,  launched  in  2013-14,  aimed  to  upgrade  the  skills  of minority youth of 14-45 years of age in modern/ traditional sectors, based on their qualifications, economic trends, and market potential. The objective was to equip them for suitable employment or self-employment. Since its inception, around 4.68 lakh beneficiaries were trained under the SAK scheme.

The Nai Roshni Scheme was a program launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, aimed at empowering and building confidence among women belonging to minority  communities.  The  scheme  was  initiated  in  2012-13  with  the  goal  of  equipping  these women with the knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to effectively engage with government systems, banks, and other institutions at various levels.

To  raise  awareness  about  its  various  schemes  and  promote  the  cultural  and  economic contributions  of  minority  artisans,  the  Ministry  had  been  organising  'Hunar  Haat'  under  the USTTAD scheme and now has been organising 'Lok Samvardhan Parv' under the PM VIKAS scheme.  These  events  offer  artisans  a  platform  to  showcase  their  crafts  and  interact  with  the public. These events serve a dual purpose-preserving cultural heritage, and fostering awareness of the Ministry's welfare schemes among minority communities and the general public. Till now, Ministry has organised 41 'Hunar Haat' and 4 'Lok Samvardhan Parv' at various locations in the country  wherein  opportunity  has  been  provided  to  artisans/  craftpersons  from  the  minority communities  to  showcase  and  market  their  handicraft  and  indigenous  products  and  culinary traditions.Based  on  the  sales  data  and  comprehensive  feedback  received  during  successive editions  of  the  'Lok  Samvardhan  Parv',  the  Ministry  undertakes  improvement  initiatives  to enhance the impact and reach of the event. These improvements may  include better infrastructure, improved stall layout, digital enablement for on-site sales, capacity building for participating artisans, and targeted promotional strategies. This feedback improvement mechanism is aimed at increasing footfall, enhancing buyer engagement, and ensuring greater visibility and market linkages for minority artisans and entrepreneurs.

Additionally,  to  support  self-employment  and  entrepreneurship,  the  National  Minority Development Finance Corporation (NMDFC), under the Ministry, provides enterprise development  loans  and  also  showcases  the  schemes  being  implemented  by  the  Government through the Ministry.

The PM VIKAS integrates and builds upon the five erstwhile schemes of the Ministry, including  Seekho  aur  Kamao  and  Nai  Roshni.  The  scheme  incorporates  key  learnings  and recommendations from the impact assessments of these earlier programmes.  Three editions of the 'Lok Samvardhan Parv', with emphasis on urban engagement and outreach, have been held in Delhi.

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