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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2672
ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026
IMPLEMENTATIONOF PM-VIKAS SCHEME IN PUNJAB
2672. DR. VIKRAMJIT SINGH SAHNEY:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of beneficiaries trained, funds released and projects sanctioned under the PM-
VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan) scheme in the State of Punjab since
inception, component-wise;
(b) whether Government has assessed the outreach of the scheme among minority artisan and
traditional skill clusters in the State of Punjab, particularly in handicrafts, embroidery, leather
and heritage trades; and
(c) the steps taken to enhance coverage, market linkages and livelihood outcomes for
minority youth and women in the State of Punjab under PM-VIKAS?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a): The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan
(PM VIKAS) Scheme as a Central Sector scheme which converges five erstwhile schemes
viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’, ‘USTTAD’ and ‘Hamari Dharohar’.
The scheme was launched in January 2025 to focus on socio-economic empowerment of six
notified minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership development
of minority women; and education support for school dropouts. Under the scheme, projects
have been allocated to the following PIAs for implementation in Punjab in the Skilling and
Training component as follows:
S PIA Name Target allocated in Trainees enrolled as Trained as on
N Punjab on 12.03.2026 12.03.2026
1 Delhi Sikh Gurudwara 7,880 4738 180
Management
Committee (DSGMC)
2 IIT Ropar 1,200 - -
3 Punjab Skill 2,500 60 60
Development Mission
4 Punjab State Skill 2,500 - -
Development Society
Grand Total 14,080 4798 240
A target of 400 candidates has further been allocated to DSGMC in the state of Punjab under
the Education component.(b): Under the PM VIKAS scheme, the sub-component on Traditional training (para
1.5.1.1.) focuses on NSQF aligned skill development that covers training in need-based
courses for minority communities who are engaged in traditional arts and crafts including
languishing art forms. The objective is to generate means to create better livelihood
opportunities, assist in establishing linkages with domestic and global markets, facilitate
credit linkages and self-employment, as well as to preserve and enrich heritage of Indian arts
and crafts. This component also covers initiatives relating to preservation/ propagation of
traditional arts and crafts including ICH and celebrating the cultural practices of the
minorities. Under the scheme, no target has yet been allocated under the traditional
component in the state of Punjab.
(c): The Ministry has so far allocated a target of 14,080 candidates under the Skilling and
Training component for implementation in the state of Punjab, out of a total target of
1,22,005 allocated under the Skilling and Training component, which constitutes 11.54% of
the target allocated across India. This presents significant opportunities for the minority youth
and women for skill, training and livelihood enhancement.
Further, under the PM VIKAS scheme, Ministry has been organising 'Lok
Samvardhan Parv' (LSP), bringing together minority artisans from across India and assist
them to scale up their operations and businesses. The platform offers artisans a unique
opportunity to showcase their indigenous arts, crafts, and rich cultural heritage. The event has
been designed not only to promote the traditions of minority communities but also to foster
an innovative and entrepreneurial environment for artisans. To enhance their skills in areas
like marketing, export & online business, design, taxation and sales etc., workshops are
conducted by the Ministry, with support from the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
(EPCH), ensuring a holistic approach to empowering their talent and augmentation in their
incomes.
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