Parliament Question: Firozabad's Minority Artisan Community under PMJVK and PM VIKAS Schemes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4131 ANSWERED ON 12.08.2026 FIROZABAD'S MINORITY ARTISAN COMMUNITY UNDER PMJVK AND PM VIKAS SCHEME

4131. SHRI AKSHAY YADAV:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state

(a) whether Firozabad has been considered for projects under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), given its substantial population of glass and bangle artisans and if so, the details of projects sanctioned;

(b) whether glass and bangle artisans in Firozabad are covered under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (‘PM VIKAS’) Scheme's skill development and entrepreneurship components meant for minority artisans and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the number of beneficiaries from Uttar Pradesh's minority-concentration industrial clusters covered under PM VIKAS and PMJVK during the last three years;

(d) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the ongoing gas supply crisis in Firozabad on minority artisan households dependent on the glass and bangle trade and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether any targeted relief or skill-diversification support is proposed for minority artisans in Firozabad affected by the current industrial slowdown and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a): The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a community infrastructure development scheme that aims to create public assets and improve basic infrastructure in identified minority concentration areas. The infrastructure developed under the scheme is intended to benefit the entire population residing in these areas, irrespective of their occupation or community.

Under the scheme, projects can be proposed in areas having a minority population of more than 25% within a 15 km radius, subject to the provisions of the PMJVK Guidelines.

Such proposals are recommended by the State Level Committee (SLC), chaired by the Chief Secretary of the respective State/Union Territory, based on the demand for infrastructure development in the eligible areas.(b) The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme for the socio-economic and educational empowerment of the six centrally notified minority communities. The Scheme provides support through skill development and training, entrepreneurship promotion, women leadership and entrepreneurship development, educational support for school dropouts and preservation of traditional arts and crafts.

Eligible artisans, including those engaged in traditional crafts, may be covered under the Scheme through approved projects implemented by Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs).

No Project has been allocated for Job roles of Glass and Bangle artisan.

(c) PM VIKAS is a Central Sector Scheme and beneficiary data is maintained under approved projects. Under the PM VIKAS Scheme, 423 candidates from Firozabad have been enrolled and trained under the Education Component of the Scheme. PMJVK does not provide for the sanction of projects targeted exclusively at any specific occupational group, including glass and bangle artisans. Therefore, no projects have been sanctioned under PMJVK solely for the population of glass and bangle artisans.

(d) No such assessment has been undertaken by the Ministry of Minority Affairs under the PM VIKAS Scheme.

(e) No proposal for targeted relief specifically for artisans affected by the current industrial slowdown in Firozabad is under consideration of this Ministry. However, under PM VIKAS, eligible beneficiaries belonging to the six minority communities may avail benefits relating to skill development, entrepreneurship promotion, educational support and livelihood enhancement. The Scheme also supports preservation and promotion of traditional arts and crafts and provides opportunities for artisans through initiatives such as Lok Samvardhan Parv (LSP), which facilitates showcasing of traditional products, cultural exchange and improved market access for artisans.

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