One of the first industries to emerge in India was the textile and garment sector. The country has a significant presence along the whole value chain, from fibre production to garment manufacturing. After agriculture, it employs the most people. The government has approved the new "Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS)" for the entire value chain of textiles except Spinning and Weaving in the organized sector, for a period of three years starting from 2017–18 to 2019–20 with an outlay of Rs. 1300 crore in order to address the skill gap in the industry and also to supplement its efforts initiated through the Special Package for Garments and Made-ups.
Samarth Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector | UPSC IAS IPS IFS
Also Read: What is Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) | UPSC IAS IPS IFS
The "Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector (SCBTS)" shall be known as " (Samarth)", denoting the scheme's overarching goal of preparing young people for productive and long-term work in the textile industry.
The objective of the scheme
- To offer demand-driven, job-focused, National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant skilling programmes to supplement and incentivize the industry's efforts to create jobs in organized textile and related sectors. These programmes would cover the entire textile value chain, with the exception of spinning and weaving.
- To encourage skill development and skill upgrading in the traditional industries of jute, handicrafts, sericulture, and handlooms.
- To make it possible for all societal groups across the nation to have access to sustainable means of subsistence, including paid employment and self-employment.
- The Program aims to train 10 lakh people (9 lakhs in organized & 1 lakh in traditional sector).
What are the Samarth Scheme's Features ?
The following are Samarth Scheme's characteristics:-
- In 18 states, the Samarth Scheme is in existence.
- This programme will incorporate at least 80% of the Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System's assessment.
- Training of Trainers (ToT) certified by RSA/SSCs will provide trainees with skill development training under this programme.
- With the launch of this programme, wage work in the traditional sector (50%) and organised sector (70%), together with a placement-linked upskilling programme, were both made available. Additionally, it will keep tracking for a year following installation.
- The Samarth Scheme is anticipated to carry out all of its allocated objectives with an expense of ₹1,300 crores.
- This programme will record training sessions using CCTV so that disagreements that arise during training can be quickly handled.
- A web-based Management Information System (MIS) will be used to run the Samarth scheme and keep track of the entire implementation procedure.
- The Samarth Scheme also has other cutting-edge elements, such as an exclusive call centre with a helpline number and online training process monitoring.
Implementing Agencies
The following Implementing Agencies would carry out the skill-building programmes:-
- Textile sector.
- Institutions, organisations, and state governments with connections to the textile sector for placement and training.
- Reputable training facilities, non-profit organisations, societies, trusts, businesses, start-ups, and entrepreneurs working in the textile industry who have placement relationships.
Monitoring and Management Information System (MIS)
To oversee and carry out the plan, a centralized web-based Management Information System (MIS) has been installed. For the registration and appointment of Implementing Agencies, MIS will serve as an integrated platform. MIS will be used to manage all aspects of programme management and execution, including proposal submission, funding release, candidate enrollment, training operation, physical verification, assessment, placement, post-placement tracking, etc. The distribution of funding will be dependent on updates to the MIS regarding physical progress.
The MIS modules are connected to a mobile application for several stakeholders, including the TC Coordinator, the Inspection Agency, the beneficiaries, and the grievance redressal process. Setting up a call centre with a helpline or toll-free number connected to an MIS and a public dashboard.
Strategies to be adopted by the scheme
- A minimum of 80% attendance is required by the Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system,
- Training from certified trainers who have received Training of Trainers (ToT) accreditation from RSA/SSCs, and CCTV recording of the whole training programme and evaluation process.
- Creating a call centre (helpline) to get feedback.
- Various stakeholders can use a mobile app to simplify the monitoring and implementation processes.
- Priority was provided to 115 ambitious districts and socially excluded
- Resolution of public grievances by a Ministry of Textiles authorised grievance representative.
- Under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redress) Act of 2013, an internal complaints committee would be established.
- Common branding in accordance with MSDE rules.
- Beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana will be given concessional financing for self-employment.
- Third-party evaluation and certification by evaluation companies that RSA has authorised.
- A placement-linked skill-building programme with a requirement for paid work in the organised sector (70%) and the traditional sector (50%) as well as one year of post-placement monitoring.
- Discretionary physical inspection of active training facilities.
- NSQF-aligned programmes.
- The Ministry of Textiles website publishes real-time scheme information and a robust MIS.
Who Qualifies for the Samarth Program ?
- All applicants for the Samarth Scheme must be Indian citizens.
- 115 aspirational districts, women, minorities, people with disabilities, those in the BPL category, and SC/ST people would receive preference (that are notified by the NITI Aayog).
How do I apply online for the Samarth Scheme ?
Anyone interested in applying for the Samarth programme should follow the instructions listed below.
Step 1: Go to Samarth's official website at https://samarth-textiles.gov.in/
Step 2: People can discover the "Candidate Registration" menu on the right side of the website's home page.
Step 3: To conclude the online application procedure, fill out the "Candidate Enquiry Form" and press "Submit."
Conclusion
The Ministry of Textiles devised and started the Textile Sector Capacity Development Scheme, also known as SAMARTH. To finance this new programme, the central government would contribute up to ₹1,300 crores. The standard of textiles made in the country will rise, and more jobs will be added to the industry. In an effort to revitalize Indian textile businesses and generate employment in the industry. The success of the scheme can be seen by the Public Dashboard of Samarth https://samarth-textiles.gov.in/public_dashboard/, where as of 6th November 2022, the scheme has achieved the following milestones since inception:-
- 111529 personnel got trained at the entry-level training programme,
- 93 implementing partners,
- 1263 active Training Centers,
- Tamil Nadu is the top performer among other states.