Garib Nawaz Employment Scheme

Q  Why is it in News ? 

A Recently, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs replied in the Parliament that a total number of 371 training centers under Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme were opened across the country.

Q What is Gharib Nawaz Employment Scheme ? 

A 

• It was launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2017.
• Maulana Azad Education Foundation, an autonomous body under the aegis of Ministry of Minority Affairs, implements the Scheme.
• The main aim of this scheme is to provide short term job oriented skill development courses to minorities’ youth in order to enable them for skill based employment.
• This scheme is implemented as per common norms of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E) through the empanelled Program Implementation Agencies (PIAs).
• The PIA is mandated to place minimum 70% trainees out of total trained trainees.
• The monthly stipend for maximum of three months and post placement support for maximum of two months after getting employment are also being paid to the beneficiaries directly into their account.

Q How can minorities be defined , What are Constitutional and Legal Provisions ? 

A 

• The term "Minority" is not defined in the Indian Constitution. However, the Constitution recognises only religious and linguistic minorities.
  • 6 Minority Communities in India: Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh and Muslim (notified by the Government).
• Constitutional Provisions:
  • Article 29: It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own, shall have the right to conserve the same.
    • It grants protection to both religious minorities as well as linguistic minorities.
  • Article 30: Under the article, all minorities shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
    • The protection under Article 30 is confined only to minorities (religious or linguistic) and does not extend to any section of citizens (as under Article 29).
  • Article 350-B: The 7th Constitutional (Amendment) Act 1956 inserted this article which provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed by the President of India.
• Legal Provisions:
  • National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Act, 1992.
  • National Commission for Minority Education Institution (NCMEI) Act, 200

Q What are other Schemes for Minority Communities? 

A 

• Prime Minister’s 15 Point Programme
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram
• Seekho aur Kamao
• Usttad (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development)
• Garib Nawaz Kaushal Vikas Yojana
• Nai Manzil (for formal skilling of school dropouts)
• Nai Roshni (for leadership Development of Minority Women)
• Begum Hazrat Mahal Girls scholarships