Skill loan scheme benefited 6,018 individuals: Ministry

The Skill Loan Scheme, launched by the ministry of skills development and entrepreneurship in 2015, has benefited barely 6,018 individuals with Rs 64.37 crore disbursed in six years till October 31, 2021, the ministry said in a response to a question in Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Skill Loan Scheme aims to provide loan facility to aspirants wanting to do skill development courses aligned to National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). Loan amount varies from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1,50,000 depending on the course and has a repayment period of three to seven years.

Policy Review
In a separate response, the skills development ministry informed the Lok Sabha that the steering committee of National Skill Development Mission in its second meeting on June 29, 2021, has proposed to undertake the review of National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.


“Alignment with global standards has always been a part of policies and guidelines of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. All NSQF qualifications packs and curriculum contain references to global standards wherever needed,” it added.

Migrant workers
The skills development ministry, on Monday, said lakhs of migrant labourers have returned during COVID-19 lockdown to Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan

Quoting the data provided by the states for the implementation of Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA), the skills development ministry said 3.2 million migrant workers returned to Uttar Pradesh, 1.3 million to Rajasthan and 0.75 million to Madhya Pradesh.

“In order to support the Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (GKRA), a special training programme was implemented for reverse migrants impacted from COVID 19 under the short term training (STT) and recognition of prior learning (RPL) of central component of PMKVY 2.0 (2016-20),”it said in response to a question in the Lok Sabha.

This special programme covered 116 districts of six states, namely, Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Under PMKVY, placement opportunities are being provided to STT certified candidates, while RPL does not mandate placements as it recognizes the existing skills of the candidate, it added.