Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ)

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) portal?
• What is NAMASTE Scheme?

Why in news?

PM Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) portal for credit support to entrepreneurs from disadvantaged sections of society virtually.

The PM also distributed Ayushman Health Cards, and Personal Protective Equipment to Safai Mitras under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) portal

• About
  • The portal will act as a one-stop point where people from disadvantaged sections of society can apply for and monitor the progress of all loan and credit schemes already available to them.
  • This initiative will help in providing financial assistance directly to beneficiaries, eliminating middlemen and commissions.
  • It aims at uplifting the most marginalised segments of society.
• Implementing agency: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and its departments.
• Previous efforts
  • To achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047 , it is necessary to ensure that facilities available to others like gas connection, bank accounts & toilets are available to Dalits, backwards, deprived and tribals.
  • The Government is making all possible efforts to empower the SC, ST and OBC communities.
    • The assistance provided to them by various institutions has been doubled in the last 10 years.
    • The government has provided almost one lakh 60 thousand crore rupees for the welfare of the SC community this year alone.
    • Other measures include:
      • reservation of 27% seats for the OBC in the all-India quota of medical seats,
      • greater opportunities for OBC students in NEET examinations,
      • support through the National Overseas Scholarship for underprivileged students pursuing Master and PhD degrees abroad.
    • Keeping in mind the entrepreneurship among Dalits, the government has launched the Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission.

NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) Scheme

• Objective
  • To ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India as well as providing sustainable livelihood to these workers.
• Ministries involved
  • It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• Implementing agency
  • National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
• Coverage
  • Five hundred cities (converging with AMRUT cities) will be taken up under this phase of NAMASTE. It will be implemented for the period 2022-26.
• Aims
  • Zero fatalities in sanitation work in India
  • All sanitation work is performed by skilled workers
  • No sanitation workers come in direct contact with human faecal matter
  • Sanitation workers are collectivized into SHGs and are empowered to run sanitation enterprises
  • All Sewer and Septic tank sanitation workers (SSWs) have access to alternative livelihoods
• Components of the scheme
  • Extending Insurance Scheme Benefits
    • These workers and their families will be covered under the Ayushyaman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
    • The premium for AB-PMJAY for those identified SSWs families who are not covered earlier shall be borne under NAMASTE.
  • Livelihood Assistance
    • The Action Plan will promote mechanization and enterprise development.
    • Identified SSWs and their dependants will be given counselling on available livelihood choices and an opportunity to acquire alternative skills, if they so desire.
    • An SSW may choose to continue working in the sanitation sector, thereby becoming eligible for receiving capacity building training.
    • Alternatively, the worker may choose to explore an alternative livelihood option or an entrepreneurial venture.
    • The identified SSWs and their family members will be extended benefits of all the social security schemes.
  • Other assistance
    • Capital subsidies of up to ₹5 lakh on sanitation machinery costing up to ₹15 lakh and interest subsidies on loans.
    • Interest rates will be capped between 4-6% for the beneficiaries.
    • The scheme also provides for training the workers in the use of these machines, during which time a stipend of up to ₹3,000 per month will be provided.

Q1) What is Viksit Bharat 2047?

The term 'Viksit Bharat' means 'Developed India'. Viksit Bharat 2047 represents the government's vision to transform the county into a developed entity by its 100th independence in 2047. The four pillars of Viksit Bharat are Yuva (Youth), Garib (Poor), Mahila (Women) and Kisan (Framers).

Q2) What is the role of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment?

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is a Government of India ministry that is responsible for the welfare, social justice, and empowerment of marginalized and disadvantaged sections of society.