The Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampanna Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana was launched by the Government of India during the 2020-21 fiscal year. The scheme’s objective is to uplift marginalized communities by improving their employability and socio-economic status. The PM-DAKSH Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme that aims to enhance the competency levels of its target groups. This would help them become job-ready and able to pursue self-employment opportunities.
The primary beneficiaries of the PM-DAKSH Yojana are Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), De-notified Tribes (DNTs), and Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers. To be eligible, individuals must fall within the age bracket of 18 to 45 years. While there is no income limit for SCs, Safai Karamcharis, and DNTs, the annual family income ceiling stands at Rs. 3 lakh for OBCs and Rs. 1 lakh for EBCs.
The scheme offers a diverse array of training programs, each tailored to the specific needs of the participants:
1. Up-skilling/Reskilling: Ranging from 35 to 60 hours or 5 to 35 days, this training program comes with an average cost per candidate ranging from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 8,000.
2. Short Term Training: Spanning 300 hours or 3 months, this program incurs a cost of Rs. 22,000 per candidate.
3. Entrepreneurship Development Programme: This 90-hour, 15-day program is designed to equip individuals with the skills needed to embark on entrepreneurial ventures and comes at a cost of Rs. 7,000 per participant.
4. Long Term Training: Covering 650 hours over 7 months, this program costs Rs. 45,000 per candidate.
The training costs adhere to common norms set by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and vary based on the program’s duration. For instance, the Up-skilling program for Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers, spans 35 hours or 5 days and costs an average of Rs. 3,000 per candidate.
Notably, the training itself is provided free of cost to the trainees. In addition to this, participants receive stipends to support their training journey. SCs and Safai Karamcharis are entitled to Rs. 1,500 per month, while OBCs, EBCs, and DNTs receive Rs. 1,000 per month during non-residential Short Term and Long Term training courses. Furthermore, a wage compensation of Rs. 2,500 per candidate is granted to SCs, OBCs, EBCs, and DNTs enrolled in the Up-skilling/Reskilling program, while Safai Karamcharis candidates receive Rs. 500 per candidate for the Upskilling program.
Over the past three years of implementation, from 2020-21 to 2022-23, the PM-DAKSH Yojana has made substantial strides. A commendable total of 107,156 beneficiaries have undergone training, with an impressive expenditure of Rs. 213.83 crore allocated to this transformative initiative. As PM-DAKSH continues to empower India’s marginalized communities, it stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth and enhancing the livelihoods of its citizens.