Year-end Review | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment | Current Affairs

VISVAS Yojana – Vanchit Ikai Samooh Aur Vargon Ki Aarthik Sahayta

About – An initiative of the department to support livelihood activities for marginalized SC, OBC and Safai Karamcharis with a 5% interest subvention on income-generating loans.
This scheme also includes manual scavengers and waste pickers.
Objective – To provide the direct benefit of the lower rate of interest with interest subvention of 5% to the eligible Self-Help Groups formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
All subvention claims from lending institutions are processed via the PM SURAJ portal.
Implementation – It is implemented by the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC).

National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)

Aim – Envisages safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India by providing sustainable livelihood.
Joint initiative – Of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
SRMS – Components of erstwhile Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) have been subsumed in NAMASTE scheme from 2023-24.
Waste pickers – Have been added as a target group under NAMASTE in FY 2024-25.

National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC)

NSKFDC provides financial assistance to the Safai Karamcharis, Scavengers and their dependants for any viable income generating schemes including sanitation related activities.
Under non-loan-based schemes, NSKFDC provides 100% grant for skill development training programme and stipend of Rs.1500 er month, per candidate.
The schemes/programmes of NSKFDC are implemented through various State Channelizing Agencies nominated by the State Governments /UT Administrations and Regional Rural Banks.
The financial assistance is provided at concessional rates of interest to the SCAs/RRBs/Nationalised Banks for onward disbursement to the target group of NSKFDC.

SMILE – Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise Scheme

Aim – Comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging.
Objective – To create a ‘Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat’ (Begging-free India) by ensuring the reintegration of beggars into mainstream society.
Major components – Area-specific surveys, awareness campaigns, mobilization, and rescue operations, access to shelter-homes and basic services and skills training, alternative livelihood options and formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

PM-SURAJ Portal

Aim and objectives – To consolidate and streamline economic empowerment initiatives under a single digital platform.
It integrates various loan schemes, making it a comprehensive solution for economic up-liftment.
To bring in transparency and broaden its reach to the target groups in remote areas, a tie-up arrangement with Common Service Centers (CSCs) has been made.
Launched by – The Prime Minister on 13^th march 2024.

Aim – To empower senior citizens in India by ensuring their active participation and inclusion in all aspects of life.
AVYAY is a comprehensive initiative aimed at empowering senior citizens in India.

Aim – To facilitate livelihoods initiative at community level to build and strengthen small clusters of DNT/NT/SNT Communities institutions.

Implementation – The Scheme will be implemented for a period of 5 years starting Financial Year 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Training for Augmenting Productivity and Services (TAPAS)

About – A user friendly platform following the four-quadrant approach in one line education - Video lectures, supplementary learning material, discussion forum and self-assessment.
Online certificate courses – Through TAPAS, National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) is offering self-paced Online certificate courses.
- The courses are provided in the key areas of Social Defence -Elderly care, Substance (Drug) Abuse prevention and Transgender issues.

Drug Abuse Monitoring System (DAMS)

About – An online database, wherein data on the types of substances, method of consumption, clinical and general profile of treatment seekers at de-addiction centres will be collected.
Quarterly basis – The data are collected on a quarterly basis for understanding the trends of the substance abuse in the country.
Platform created – By National Institute of Social Defence (NISD).

Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA)

Aim – To tackle the issue of substance abuse and a vision to make India drug free.
Launched on – 15th August 2020, in 272 districts that are most prone to usage drug in the country.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign is a three-pronged attack combining the efforts of Narcotics Control Bureau, Social Justice and Empowerment and Health Department.