Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana: Launched by the Central Government in 2014, the Deendayal Upadhyaya Rural Skill Scheme (DDU-GKY) aims to make rural youth employable. This scheme is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development and is currently implemented across the country. Through the scheme, rural youth are trained and provided employment opportunities in the private sector, enabling them to become self-reliant and rise above the poverty line.
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Scheme Objective and Eligibility
The primary objective of this scheme is to provide skill development training to rural youth aged 15 to 35 years and make them employable. This scheme is for youth living below the poverty line and with limited employment opportunities. The government aims to provide training to these youth and provide them with sustainable employment so that they can join the mainstream of society.
In which areas is training provided?
Under the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana, youth are trained in various fields, including electrical, plumbing, hospitality, healthcare, construction, automobiles, and the leather industry. Practical and technical knowledge is provided to youth in all these sectors so they can confidently find jobs.
Special Focus on Social Inclusion
The government has prioritized social inclusion in this scheme. Fifty percent of the total allocated funds is earmarked for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates, 15 percent for minorities, and 3 percent for persons with disabilities. Furthermore, one-third of the selected candidates must be women. This initiative not only promotes social balance but also encourages women’s empowerment.
Financial Assistance and Job Guarantee
A key feature of this scheme is that after completing the training, the government is responsible for employing the trained youth. Under the scheme, financial assistance ranging from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh is provided to candidates. This assistance depends on the type of training and the duration of the project. Youth are then provided with jobs that pay at or above the minimum wage.
Role of Agencies
Agencies involved in the project are responsible for selecting youth, training them, and placing them. They partner with private companies to ensure employment opportunities. This scheme is not limited to training alone but also guarantees employment for youth.
Benefits to the Rural Economy
Getting rural youth employed through this scheme not only improves their economic situation but also brings positive changes to the village economy. Employment of trained youth is creating new sources of income in villages and gradually reducing the problem of migration.