PM launches Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthanevam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) portal

Subject: Schemes

Section: Vulnerable section

Context:

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched a nationwide initiative aimed at offering credit support to the marginalized segments of society

More on news:

During the event, PM unveiled the ‘Pradhan Mantri SamajikUtthan and Rozgar AdharitJankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) national portal online which symbolized the ministry’s dedication in placing the underprivileged at the forefront, towards uplifting the most marginalized sections of society, and supported credit assistance to one lakh entrepreneurs hailing from disadvantaged communities.
Prime Minister Shri Modi personally interacted with beneficiaries from various states who have been benefited under schemes like NAMASTE, VCF-SC,VCF-BC, ASIIM from disadvantaged groups, that includes Scheduled Castes, backward classes, and Safai Mitras.
Ayushman health cards and personal protective equipment (PPE) kits were distributed by the ministry to sewer and septic tank workers (Safai Mitras) under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).
Credit support to 1 lakh entrepreneurs of disadvantaged sections has been sanctioned under PM SURAJ scheme.

About NAMASTE scheme:

NAMASTE scheme to eradicate unsafe sewer and septic-tank cleaning practices introduced by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Main features of the Scheme to be implemented in all ULBs are:-
Identification: NAMASTE envisages identifying the Sewer/Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).
Occupational Training and distribution of PPE Kits to SSWs.
Assistance for Safety Devices to Sanitation Response Units (SRUs).
Extending Health Insurance Scheme Benefits to identified SSWs and their families under the Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Livelihood Assistance: The Action Plan will promote mechanization and enterprise development by providing funding support and subsidy (capital +interest) to the sanitation workers, to procure sanitation related equipment.
IEC Campaign: Massive campaigns would be undertaken jointly by the ULBs & NSKFDC to spread awareness about the interventions of NAMASTE.