Ministry of Minority Affairs implements welfare schemes for hill-based minority communities

What happened: Minority Affairs welfare covers six centrally notified communities, including hill-based communities, across India and West Bengal

The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements welfare schemes/programmes for socio-economic empowerment of six centrally notified minority communities—Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs. The Ministry also states that welfare scheme coverage includes the state of West Bengal and hill-based minority communities irrespective of topographic conditions.

Background and earlier position: PM VIKAS, PMJVK and NMDFC credit form the delivery mix

The Ministry’s welfare delivery description uses three main instruments: PM VIKAS for livelihood and empowerment support, PMJVK for community infrastructure in Minority Concentration Areas, and NMDFC (National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation) concessional credit delivered through State Channelising Agencies.

What changed now: PM VIKAS is an integrated scheme formed by combining five erstwhile livelihood schemes

The Ministry describes PM VIKAS as an integrated Central Sector Scheme formed by combining five erstwhile livelihood schemes: Seekho Aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni and Nai Manzil. The scheme aims to facilitate opportunities for minority communities in education, skilling and employment. PM VIKAS has four components: (i) Skilling and Training, (ii) Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship, (iii) Education, and (iv) Infrastructure Development through convergence with PMJVK wherever required.