TAG: GS 2: POLITY
THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s launch of the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan and Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) national portal marks a significant step towards empowering marginalized communities in India.
EXPLANATION:
- This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to prioritizing the welfare and inclusion of underprivileged sections of society.
- Prime Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing the underprivileged during the launch of the PM-SURAJ portal.
- He emphasized the importance of reaching out to marginalized communities and ensuring their active participation in the nation’s development process.
- His emotional connection to these communities underscores the government’s dedication to their upliftment.
Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) portal:
- Launched by: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Aim: The Portal is aimed at offering credit support to the marginalized segments of society.
- People from disadvantaged sections like SCs, STs and OBCs are the biggest beneficiaries of this welfare scheme.
- The national portal aims to provide credit support to eligible individuals across the country, including Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, and sanitation workers.
- This initiative is set to facilitate financial empowerment and enable entrepreneurship opportunities for the most disadvantaged sections of society.
- The credit support will be provided to eligible persons across the country, facilitated through banks, NBFC-MFIs, and other organisations.
Direct Financial Assistance:
- The significance of initiatives like PM-SURAJ, which provide direct financial assistance to beneficiaries, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring transparency in welfare delivery has been highlighted.
- This approach aims to empower individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them with the means to improve their socio-economic status.
Welfare Measures for Marginalized Sectors:
- The Prime Minister outlined various initiatives aimed at empowering marginalized sectors, including:
- Doubling assistance to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
- Increasing scholarships for youth from marginalized communities.
- Promoting entrepreneurship through schemes like Mudra Yojna and Standup India Scheme.
- Ensuring essential amenities like gas connections, bank accounts, and toilets for marginalized communities.
Financial Commitment and Accountability:
- The government’s substantial financial commitment to the welfare of SC communities, amounting to nearly Rs. 1.60 lakh crore in the current year alone.
- The administration’s focus is on accountability and transparency in utilizing funds, signaling a departure from previous allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
Education and Employment Opportunities:
- The government is committed to education by citing increased scholarships and opportunities for marginalized youth.
- Measures such as reservation in medical seats, support for overseas education, and enhanced funding for academic fellowships has been taken.