Organisation : Ministry of Minority Affairs
Scheme Name : Seekho Aur Kamao – Learn & Earn
Applicable States/ UTs : All Over India
Home Page : https://seekhoaurkamao.minorityaffairs.gov.in/
Terms & Conditions : https://www.statusin.in/uploads/35442-Learn-Earn.pdf
Seekho Aur Kamao
1. Introduction :
1.1 According to latest Report of National Sample Survey Organization – 61st Round (2004-05) published in March 2007, self employment in the Rural areas– in agriculture as well as non agriculture – was the main statue for the Religious Groups.
Related : Ministry of External Affairs Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme : www.statusin.in/34512.html
In 2004-05, 26% of Muslims and 35% of Christians depended on “self employment in agriculture”, whereas in “self employment in non-agriculture sector”, 28% of Muslims and 15% of Christians were involved.
1.2 In Urban India, during 2004-05, proportion of Muslims households depending on “self employment”, “regular wage/salary” and “casual labour” were 49%, 30% and 14% respectively, whereas for the Christian it was 27%, 47% and 11% respectively.
1.3 In Rural areas, the Workers Population Ration (WPR) among the males of all ages in 2004-05 was the highest among Christians (56%) followed by Hindus (55%) and then Muslims were the lowest (50%). Similarly WPR for Females for Christians (36%) and Hindus (34%) was much higher than that for Muslims (18%).
1.4 In Rural India, the unemployment rate was higher in Christians (44%) followed by Muslims (23%) and Hindus (15%). Similarly in Urban India the unemployment rate was highest among Christians (86%) followed by Hindus (44%) and Muslims (41%).
1.5 According to reports of Directorate General of Employment and Training (DGE&T), a majority of India workforce does not possess marketable skills which is an impediment in getting decent employment and improving their economic condition.
1.6 While India has large young population, only 10% of the Indian labour forces – 8% informally and 2% formally have acquired vocational skills. About 63% of the school students drop out at different stages reaching class- X.
Only about 3.1 million vocational training seats are available in the country whereas about 12.8 million persons enter the labour market every year. Even out of these training places, very few are available for early school dropouts.
This signifies that a large number of school drop outs do not have access to skill development for improving their employability at one side and availability of 12.8 million jobs at the other side. As per estimates of 2011, in India there is a skill gap of about 244 million across 21 key sectors.
1.7 According to Sachar Committee Recommendations, the country is going through a high growth phase. This is a time to help the underprivileged to utilize new opportunity through Skill development and education.
A large segment of the Muslim community is engaged in self-employment activities. Besides, a significant proportion, especially women, is actually engaged in home- based work.
While some of these workers are engaged in sectors that have experienced growth, many are engaged in occupations/ sectors that are stagnant.
The policy intervention needs to help workers engaged in growth oriented sectors to become part of the larger network of market oriented firms engaged in that sector.
For those caught in the stagnant sectors, a transition path will have to be evolved. Skill upgradation, education and credit availability, will have an important role in both these strategies.
1.8 National Skill Development Policy envisages that the skills and knowledge are the driving forces of economic growth and social development for any country. Countries with higher and better levels of skills adjust more effectively to the challenges and opportunities.
1.9 India is in transition to a knowledge based economy and its competitive edge will be determined by the abilities of its people to create, share and use knowledge more effectively.
This transition will require India to develop workers into knowledge workers who will be more flexible, analytical, adaptable and multi skilled.
1.10 India has the advantage of “demographic dividend. Harnessing the demographic dividend through appropriate skill development efforts would provide an opportunity to achieve inclusion and productivity within the country and also a reduction in the global skill shortages. Large scale skill development is thus an imminent imperative.
2. Objectives :
2.1 To bring down unemployment rate of minorities during 12th Plan period.
2.2 To conserve and update traditional skills of minorities and establish their linkages with market.
2.3 To improve employ-ability of existing workers, school dropouts etc. and ensure their placement.
2.4 To generate means of better livelihood for marginalized minorities and bring them in the mainstream.
2.5 To enable minorities to avail opportunities in the growing market.
2.6 To develop potential human resource for the country.
4. Eligibility :
4.1 The scheme will be implemented following Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) through :
a) Societies of the State Governments/UT Administrations registered under Societies Registration Act. The Societies may be constituted at State/UT level or District level depending upon the size of the State/UT.
The Societies will be responsible for identification of the employment potential in their respective State/UT and the training institution, sponsoring minority candidates, monitoring their training and their placement.
b) Any private recognized/registered professional institution of repute conducting such skill development courses for at least last three years with established market linkages and placement record.
c) Any industry or an association of industries like ASSOCHAM, CII, FICCI etc.who are willing to run such skill up-gradation training centres as per financial norms of the scheme with a proper plan of placements.
d) Any institution of Central/State Governments including Public Sector Undertakings and Training institutes of Central/ State Governments including Panchayati Raj Training institutions.