NEW SCHEMES ON INDEPENDENCE DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 - Economy)

Lakhpati Didi

• The government is planning skill development training for two crore women under the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme that aims to encourage them to start micro-enterprises.
• The 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme has been in place in some states and now the government is planning to train two crore women under it.
• Women would be trained in skills like plumbing, LED bulb making and operating and repairing drones among others.

Context: Prime Minister announced two new initiatives - Vishwakarma Yojana, a new scheme with an outlay of Rs 13,000 crore to Rs 15000 crore, and Lakhpati Didi, under which skill training will be provided to two crore women so that they can earn at least Rs 1 lakh annually.

Vishwakarma Yojana

• It is a scheme that aims to provide skill development, financial assistance, market linkages, social security and empowerment to the artisans and craftsmen belonging to various communities, especially the Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• The scheme will have an initial allocation of around ?13,000 crore to ?15,000 crore and will be launched on the occasion of Vishwakarma Jayanti, which falls on September 17 this year.
• It will cover artisans and craftsmen from various sectors such as textiles, leather, metal, wood, clay, stone, bamboo, cane, paper, glass etc.
• It will provide skill training to the artisans and craftsmen based on their existing level of proficiency and market demand.