Seekho aur Kamao: a Central Govt. Scheme for Minority Communities

India is a hugely diversified country and the need to empowering Minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikh, Buddhists, Farsi) through various schemes was much in demand. O this background, the Central government in 2013 launched a special scheme for Skill Development of Minorities known as “Seekho aur Kamao” (Learn and Earn). This scheme aims at upgrading skills of minority youth in various careers depending on their educational qualification, present market and economic trend. The basic idea is to help the youth to have a suitable self-employment opportunity. Ministry of Minority Affairs provides development programme for Modular Employable Skills (MES) approved by National Council of Vocational Training for traditional skills like embroidery, Chikankari, Zardosi, Patch work, Gem and Jewellery, Weaving, Wooden works, Leather goods, Brass metal works, Glass wares, Carpet etc.

Objectives:

• To lower the rate of unemployment among Minority section during 12^th Plan period.
• To upgrade traditional skills of minorities and establish their links with the employment market.
• To help the minority section to avail employment related opportunities.
• To increase employability of existing workers, school dropouts and ensure them about their placement.
• To bring this community in the mainstream and to help them have a better opportunity for livelihood.
• To develop human resource for the country.

Eligible institutions:

This scheme is implemented following project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) through-

Eligible youth from Minority Communities: 

This scheme can be taken anywhere in the country but preference will be given to organizations which aim at developing traditional skills of minorities with ensured market links and propose the programme for identified minority concentrating on districts / blocks /towns/ cluster of villages and the North-Eastern region.

Funding pattern:

This is a 100% central sector scheme and the funding is as follows-

Cost Head	Maximum allowed Expenditure (in ₹)
Rental/Lease expenditure including Computers, tables, chairs, workstations etc.	Maximum ₹20,000/- per candidate
O&M of training centres including rental, electricity, water, generator and other running expenses
Lunch, Tea and Travel expenses during training
Training of Trainers and Induction
Training expenses including salaries of trainers & other resource persons, learning kit, assessment & certification
MIS website, tracking and other monitoring expenses
Institutional overheads (Max 10 % of all above)
Post placement support (to be given to all placed candidates for 2 months after placement) @ 2000 per month	₹4,000/-
Sub-total	₹ 24,000/-
Incentive @ 5 % of all costs excluding Post placement support to be payable to PIA’s who successfully complete the project in time with all conditions met	₹1,000/-
Total	₹25,000/-

In addition to above, following cost is also applicable-

• Boarding/Lodging of outstation beneficiary (for whom the organization arranges the residential facility) for 3 months for ₹1,500/- per month. The beneficiary is also entitled for monthly stipend of ₹750/-.
• Monthly stipend for local Non-residential trainees is ₹1,500/-.

Duration of training:

• Duration of each training programme for modern skills is for a minimum 3 months depending on the Skill Set including Technical Skills, Soft Skills and Life Skills.
• The duration of each programme for traditional skills is up to a maximum of 1 year depending on the trade. The program generally includes formation of Self-Help Groups/ Producer Companies.

How to avail:

Ministry of Minority Affairs invites application through advertisement in newspapers and official website of the Ministry from organizations/institutions. Check the Website for more details.

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