Lok Sabha Question No. 4264 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Schemes for Economic Empowerment and Skill Development of Minorities
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4264

ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## SCHEMES FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT OF MINORITIES

## 4264.   SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of schemes and programmes implemented by the Government for the economic empowerment and skill development of the Minorities;
- (b) the details of funds sanctioned and released particularly to the State of West Bengal for implementation  of  the  schemes  'Seekho  aur  Kamao'  (Learn  &  Earn),  Upgrading  Skill  and Training  in  Traditional Arts/Crafts  for  Development  (USTTAD),  'Nai  Manzil'  scheme  and 'Nai  Roshni'-  Scheme  for  Leadership  Development  of  minority  women,  State  and  districtwise; and
- (c) the details of beneficiaries under the said schemes/programmes particularly in districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and North Dinajpur along with the details of funds spent thereunder?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) : Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme focussing on socio-economic empowerment of minorities.

The scheme comprises the following components:

- i. Skilling and Training Component (including traditional and non-traditional skills).
- ii. Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship Component.
- iii. Education Component for school dropouts through open schooling.
- iv. Infrastructure  Development  Component  through  convergence  with  other  schemes such as PMJVK.
5. (b) & (c) The schemes 'Seekho aur Kamao' (Learn & Earn), Upgrading Skill and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTTAD), 'Nai Manzil' scheme and 'Nai Roshni' Scheme for Leadership Development of minority Women were implemented on a pan India basis. The details of number of beneficiaries in the state of West Bengal is as follows:

| State       | Seekho aur Kamao   | USTTAD   | Nai Manzil   |   Nai Roshni |
|-------------|--------------------|----------|--------------|--------------|
| West Bengal | 32,477             | 1,076    | 5,730        |        12350 |

Details of funds sanctioned and released under the schemes on a Pan India basis is as under:

| Scheme                                               |   Sanctioned (Amount in Crores) | Expenditure(Amount in Crores)   |
|------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Seekho Aur Kamao (2013-14 to 2022-23)                |                         1840.96 | 1534.95                         |
| USTTAD (2014-15 to 2022-23)                          |                          293.11 | 288.68                          |
| Nai Manzil(2016-17 to 2022-23)                       |                           67.45 | 191.97                          |
| Nai Roshni (2013-14 to 2022-23)                      |                          864.05 | 456.19                          |
| Hamari Dharohar (2014-15 to 2022-23)                 |                           54.11 | 30.68                           |
| PM VIKAS Committed Liabilities* (2023-24 to 2025-26) |                          744.42 | 456.97#                         |

# as on 16.03.2026

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