Why in news?
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recently launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) national portal, aimed at providing credit support to marginalized segments of society.
- Additionally, the Prime Minister distributed Ayushman Health Cards and Personal Protective Equipment to Safai Mitras under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme.
Introducing PM-SURAJ
- The ‘PM-SURAJ’ national portal seeks to uplift the most marginalized sections of society by providing credit assistance to one lakh entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities.
- It serves as a centralized platform where individuals can apply for and monitor the progress of various loan and credit schemes tailored for their needs.
Key Highlights of PM-SURAJ
- Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, PM-SURAJ facilitates credit support through banks, NBFC-MFIs, and other organizations, ensuring accessibility across the country.
- The portal aims to streamline the application process for credit schemes, enhancing transparency and efficiency in service delivery.
Understanding the NAMASTE Scheme:
- NAMASTE, previously known as the Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS), is a central sector scheme formulated to ensure safety, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods for urban sanitation workers.
- It aims to promote safe and mechanized cleaning of sewers and septic tanks, thereby eliminating fatalities and ensuring the formalization of sanitation work.
Objectives and Outcomes of NAMASTE
- The scheme focuses on rehabilitating manual scavengers and persons engaged in hazardous cleaning, promoting skill development and safe working practices.
- Key outcomes include zero fatalities in sanitation work, formalization of sanitation workers, and increased awareness among service seekers about employing registered and certified sanitation workers.
India’s Other Credit Schemes for Empowering Marginalized Sections:
- Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
- Stand-Up India Scheme
- Ambedkar Social Innovation and Incubation Mission
- Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
- Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme
- Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan: A national campaign for eradicating manual scavenging and rehabilitating manual scavengers.
- These initiatives collectively aim to uplift marginalized communities by providing financial support, promoting entrepreneurship, and ensuring dignified livelihoods. Through PM-SURAJ and NAMASTE, the government strives to create inclusive growth opportunities and break the cycle of poverty for marginalized sections of society.
People also ask
Q1: What is the PM-SURAJ national portal launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment?
Ans: The PM-SURAJ national portal aims to provide credit support to marginalized segments of society by offering assistance to one lakh entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities.
Q2: Who implements the PM-SURAJ scheme?
Ans: The PM-SURAJ scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, along with its departments.
Q3: How does the PM-SURAJ portal facilitate credit support?
Ans: The portal collaborates with banks, NBFC-MFIs, and other organizations to streamline the application process for credit schemes, ensuring accessibility and transparency in service delivery.
Q4: What is the NAMASTE Scheme and its objective?
Ans: The NAMASTE Scheme, previously known as SRMS, aims to ensure safety, dignity, and sustainable livelihoods for urban sanitation workers by promoting safe and mechanized cleaning practices.
Q5 : Who is the implementing agency for the NAMASTE Scheme?
Ans: The National Safai Karamchari Financial Development Corporation (NSKFDC) is the implementing agency for the NAMASTE Scheme.
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