New Delhi: The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements a range of welfare and development programmes for the socio-economic empowerment of India’s six centrally notified minority communities.
The schemes cover Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs across the country, including West Bengal, irrespective of geographical or topographic conditions.
The government has said these programmes also benefit minority communities living in hill areas through support for education, skill development, employment, infrastructure and financial assistance.
PM VIKAS Supports Education, Skills and Employment
The Ministry implements Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) as an integrated Central Sector Scheme.
The programme combines five earlier livelihood schemes:
- Seekho Aur Kamao
- USTTAD
- Hamari Dharohar
- Nai Roshni
- Nai Manzil
PM VIKAS aims to create opportunities for minority communities in education, skill development and employment.
The scheme has four major components covering:
- Skilling and Training
- Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship
- Education
Infrastructure Development through convergence with PMJVK, wherever required.
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PMJVK Focuses on Community Infrastructure
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at developing community infrastructure in Minority Concentration Areas across the country.
The programme covers several sectors that directly affect community welfare and access to basic services.
These include:
- Health and education
- Skill development
- Women-centric projects
- Drinking water and sanitation
- Sports and renewable energy
The scheme also supports other community infrastructure projects based on local requirements.
NMDFC Provides Concessional Credit
The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) works to promote the socio-economic development of the six centrally notified minority communities.
Its concessional credit schemes also cover eligible minority beneficiaries living in hill areas.
Under the two credit lines, income eligibility is as follows:
- Credit Line-1: Annual family income up to ₹3 lakh
- Credit Line-2: Annual family income up to ₹8 lakh
The financial assistance is designed to help eligible beneficiaries access concessional credit for economic and livelihood activities.
West Bengal Agency Implements NMDFC Schemes
NMDFC delivers credit schemes through State Channelising Agencies. In West Bengal, WBMDFC implements these schemes for eligible minority beneficiaries, including hill-based communities.
Focus on Socio-Economic Empowerment
PM VIKAS, PMJVK and NMDFC programmes support education, skills, employment, infrastructure, entrepreneurship and financial assistance for notified minority communities.
The schemes apply nationwide, including West Bengal, without restrictions based on topographic conditions, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said in a Rajya Sabha reply on August 10.
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