Parliament Question: Development and welfare initiatives for minorities in Himachal Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4104 ANSWERED ON- 30/03/2026 DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE INITIATIVES FOR MINORITIES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH 4104. DR. SIKANDER KUMAR: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:- (a) the details of specific community infrastructure projects approved for minority concentration areas in the State of Himachal Pradesh for the current budget cycle; (b) the details of the students in the State expected to benefit from current national allocation for educational empowerment for Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships in 2026-27; (c) the details of the special provisions under the PM-VIKAS scheme to support traditional artisans and promote indigenous crafts specific to the Himalayan region; and (d) the steps taken to ensure 100 per cent fund utilisation in the State, given the reported national concerns regarding budget under-utilisation in previous years? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU) (a) Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs for the creation of community infrastructure in Minority Concentration Areas across the country. The scheme covers various sectors including health, education, skill development, women-centric projects, drinking water and sanitation, sports, renewable energy, tourism, animal husbandry, and other community infrastructure. The details of project approved for the State of Himachal Pradesh under PMJVK during the current financial year 2025–26 is at Annexure I. (b) The Ministry implemented the following three Scholarship schemes for the educational empowerment of the six centrally notified minority communities viz. Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi and Sikh: (i) Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme; (ii) Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme; and (iii) Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme. The Schemes was intended to provide financial assistance to the poor and meritorious students belonging to religious minority communities to enable them to pursue professional and technical courses. The Scholarship schemes, however, have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22.(c) PM VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan) scheme contains special provisions to support traditional artisans and promote indigenous crafts. The scheme emphasizes preservation of local cultural heritage, skill up-gradation, and sustainable livelihood generation for minority artisan communities engaged in traditional occupations. The guidelines provide Traditional Training sub-component, under which artisans are given NSQF-aligned skill training in need-based craft activities, along with customized workshops to improve product quality, design, and market linkages. This provision is particularly relevant for the regions where crafts such as wool weaving, wood carving, metal work, and handmade textiles form an important part of local livelihood and cultural identity. Further, the scheme allows region-specific project proposals by States/UTs, enabling training programmes to be designed according to local craft traditions and socio-economic needs. Special focus is placed on preservation of languishing art forms, promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and support to artisan families through entrepreneurship, credit linkages, and marketing support, thereby strengthening indigenous craft ecosystems in remote Himalayan areas.” (d) Under PMJVK, the execution, operation and maintenance of approved projects are the responsibility of the respective State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry monitors the progress of projects through periodic review meetings with States/UTs to assess both physical and financial progress. In addition, national workshops are organized to facilitate effective implementation and timely completion of projects. States/UTs are also advised to expedite implementation, drop non-viable projects where necessary, and utilize the available funds for completion of ongoing sanctioned projects under PMJVK. *****ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO POINT (A) IN REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4104 FOR ANSWER ON 30.03.2026 REGARDING “DEVELOPMENT AND WELFARE INITIATIVES FOR MINORITIES IN HIMACHAL PRADESH ” ASKED BY DR. SIKANDER KUMAR. Details of project approved for the State of Himachal Pradesh under PMJVK during the current financial year 2025–26 District Name Name of Project No of Total cost Central units approved (Rs. share approved in lakhs) approved (Rs. in lakhs) Lahul and Spiti Sports Facility(As per 1 7377.25 6639.525 Khelo India Scheme) Sirmaur Existing School - 1 125.67 113.103 Additional Infrastructure Lahul and Spiti Sports Facility(As per 1 846.96 762.264 Khelo India Scheme) Una Sports Facility(As per 1 997 897.3 Khelo India Scheme) Kinnaur Sports Facility(As per 1 489 440.1 Khelo India Scheme) Kinnaur Sports Facility(As per 1 489 440.1 Khelo India Scheme) Lahul and Spiti Others 1 2675 2407.5 Chamba New ITI 1 984 885.6 Chamba New School Building 1 674.45 607.005 Chamba Sports Facility(As per 1 901.6 811.44 Khelo India Scheme) Chamba Sports Facility(As per 1 700 630 Khelo India Scheme) Solan Existing School - 1 461.18 415.062 Additional Infrastructure Total 12 16721.11 15048.999