Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Minority Affairs answered questions regarding the Seekho aur Kamao (SAK) scheme in Lok Sabha. The scheme, initiated in 2013-14, aimed to enhance skills of minority youth aged 14-45 for employment or self-employment. It has since been subsumed under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme. Data on beneficiaries and training is provided, but district-level expenditure data is not maintained.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Seekho aur Kamao (SAK) Scheme Details:**
* Started in 2013-14 to upgrade skills of minority youth (14-45 years).
* Focused on modern and traditional skills based on market potential.
* Aimed to provide employment or self-employment opportunities.
* **Beneficiary Data:**
* 4.68 lakh beneficiaries trained since inception.
* 15,958 beneficiaries trained in Andhra Pradesh.
* Over 2.69 lakh women trained since inception.
* 3% of each project was earmarked for Persons with Disabilities (PwD).
* **Scheme Implementation and Funding:**
* Implemented as a Central Sector Scheme.
* District-level data not maintained.
* State-wise expenditure not maintained due to multiple Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) operating across states/UTs.
* **Scheme Transition:**
* SAK scheme subsumed under Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS).
* PM VIKAS focuses on socio-economic empowerment of minorities through skill development, entrepreneurship, leadership for women, and education support.
Impact Analysis:
* **Minority Youth (14-45 years):**
* *Impact:* Benefited from skill development programs under SAK to improve employability, now part of the broader PM VIKAS scheme.
* *Action Required:* Engage with PM VIKAS scheme for continued skill development and socio-economic empowerment opportunities.
* **Minority Women:**
* *Impact:* Received focused training and leadership opportunities under SAK, which continues under PM VIKAS.
* *Action Required:* Participate in PM VIKAS programs for skill enhancement, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.
* **Persons with Disabilities (PwD) from Minority Communities:**
* *Impact:* Had earmarked slots (3% per project) under SAK for skill development.
* *Action Required:* Continue to seek opportunities within the PM VIKAS scheme, ensuring the inclusion of PwD candidates.
* **Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs):**
* *Impact:* Previously responsible for implementing SAK; now involved in PM VIKAS.
* *Action Required:* Adapt to the guidelines and objectives of PM VIKAS for continued implementation of minority empowerment programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Seekho aur Kamao SAK scheme: A skill development scheme aimed at upgrading the skills of minority youth in India, particularly those aged 14-45.
Ministry of Minority Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to minority communities.
SHRI KIREN RIJIJU: The Minister of Minority Affairs at the time the question was answered.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of the scheme's beneficiaries and fund allocation.
Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan PM VIKAS: A new integrated scheme that subsumed the Seekho aur Kamao SAK scheme, focusing on socio-economic empowerment of minorities.
Central Sector Scheme: A scheme funded and implemented by the central government of India.
Persons with Disabilities: A category of beneficiaries specifically targeted under the Seekho aur Kamao scheme, with 3% of each project earmarked for them.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India, having the highest number of beneficiaries under Seekho aur Kamao SAK scheme
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.544
ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
SEEKHO AUR KAMAO (SAK) SCHEME
544. SHRI BASTIPATI NAGARAJU:
Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the total number of beneficiaries under the Seekho aur Kamao (SAK)
scheme, State and district-wise particularly for the State of Andhra Pradesh;
(b) the details of the funds sanctioned and released to the States under the scheme, State and
district-wise particularly for the State of Andhra Pradesh;
(c) the details of the total number of minority girl/women candidates and disabled candidates
from minority communities who have availed benefits under the scheme, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government has any data regarding the skill upgradation programs/activities
carried out under the scheme; and
(e) if so, the details thereof including the number of people trained, State and district-wise
particularly for the State of Andhra Pradesh?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a), (b), (d) and (e): Seekho aur Kamao (SAK) scheme, started in 2013-14, was intended to
upgrade the skills of minority youth of 14-45 years of age, in various modern/ traditional
skills depending upon their qualification, prevailing economic trends, and market potential,
that could earn them suitable employment or make them suitably skilled to take up self-
employment. Under the scheme, 4.68 lakh beneficiaries were trained since inception, out of
which 15,958 were trained in the state of Andhra Pradesh.The Ministry implemented the
scheme as a Central Sector Scheme and thus, district level data is not maintained. Further,
since the project is allocated to different PIAs (Project Implementation agencies), with
different PIAs operating in different/ multiple States/ UTs, state wise expenditure is not
maintained. However, a list of state-wise trained beneficiaries is placed at Annexure.
The scheme, thereafter, has been subsumed under a new integrated scheme called Pradhan
Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), which focuses on socio economic
empowerment of minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership of
minority women; and education support for school dropouts.
(c) Under the Seekho aur Kamao scheme, over 2.69 lakh women have been trained since
inception. Further, as per SAK guidelines, 3% of each project was earmarked for PwD
(Persons with Disabilities) and the beneficiaries were accordingly selected from the PwD
category.
*****Annexure
Number of Beneficiaries under SeekhoAurKamao Scheme of the Ministry of Minority
Affairs (Since Inception)
Total Beneficiaries under
State/ UT
SeekhoaurKamao
Andaman & Nicobar Islands -
Andhra Pradesh 15,958
Arunachal Pradesh 1,164
Assam 20,243
Bihar 38,681
Chandigarh 226
Chattisgarh 3,338
Delhi 10,920
Goa 480
Gujarat 12,701
Haryana 13,926
Himachal Pradesh 3,301
Jammu and Kashmir 42,372
Jharkhand 15,996
Karnataka 9,478
Kerala 3,348
Ladakh 3
Madhya Pradesh 45,980
Maharashtra 15,980
Manipur 3,848
Meghalaya 2,477
Mizoram 1,290
Nagaland 1,348
Orissa 2,734
Puducherry 104
Punjab 31,230
Rajasthan 15,899
Sikkim 1,449
Tamil Nadu 3,977
Telangana 16,935
The Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman
2
and Diu
Tripura 2,430
Uttar Pradesh 92,223
Uttarakhand 5,652
West Bengal 32,477
Total 4,68,170